Voters' turnout at least 70%: Election Commission

Maitrinews

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Kathmandu, June 28: The Election Commission has said the voters’ turnout stood at least 70.5 percent in the second round of local level election held in Province No 1, 5 and 7 on Wednesday.  Organizing a press meet, Chief Election Commissioner Dr Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said as per the preliminary information garnered from 35 districts where the election took place, the vote percentage was at least 70.5 and it could rise.  Bajura district witnessed the largest voters’ turnout – 80 percent, while Bhojpur had only 61 percent.  Among 8,364 voting centres in 334 local levels of 35 districts, only the voting centres ‘a’ and ‘b’ of Pandu Secondary School in Jayprithvi municipality of Bajhang district had to postpone the voting, otherwise the election was peaceful and had enthusiastic participation of voters.  However, the political parties and people did not participate in the election at Necha rural municipality -6 of Solukhumbu district, showing objection to formation of rural municipality, while Bhujhawa voting centre of Sarwal rural municipality in Nawalparasi saw only two votes.  CEC Yadav expressed gratitude to all those including voters and security persons involved in the election.  The EC has informed that the vote count will most probably begin from Wednesday itself in coordination with political parties once the ballot boxes were received at the Offices of Chief Returning Officer and Returning Officer following the conduct of civic polls.  The EC has owed sincere thanks to its employees, Chief Returning Officers, Returning Officers, Polling Officers and other human resource and security forces for their umpteen efforts to make the election a success.  Likewise, the EC has urged all stakeholders to reiterate their commitment to democratic system and process and not to show unruly gesture regarding the vote results and restrain maximum flexibility.  CEC Dr Yadav shared that arrangements have been made to accomplish vote count at the earliest possible this time taking lessons from the experience of first phase of local elections.  Stressing that all sides should abide by the electoral code of conducts, he said the EC has taken this as very serious matter.  He also informed that the EC has monitored the compliance of code of conducts based on written, oral information or the information disseminated through any media. 

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