Election is greatest mission in democratic system: Bhandari

Kathmandu, March 5: Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has said the election is the greatest mission in the democratic system.

During his appeal in the context of House of Representatives (HoR) Election-2026,  he said each one ballot to be cast by voters during the election determines the forms of political system, governance, the government, policies and the leadership, highlighting the significance of election.  

He expressed his hope that the entire voters will engage in this momentous mission and exercise their franchise. He in the appeal, reminded all voters that it is the duty of sovereign voters to engage in this mission.

The full text of an appeal by the Officiating Chief Election Commissioner has been presented here below.

• Honorable fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters,

I hope this snap election to the House of Representatives (HoR)-2082 BS taking place amidst the adverse situation in the aftermath of the revolt of youths on September 8-9, 2025 will further strengthen the democratic system, taking it toward maturity.

• I hereby inform you all that all the required preparations for the operation and management of the elections to the member of the House of Representatives, 2082 BS in a free, fair and impartial atmosphere have been completed.
• Voters and votes are of the highest significance during an election. Voting in an election means an agreement with or approval of a candidate, system, or party. Citizens reaching a certain age, as per the Constitution and the law, become voters, and the votes of all voters carry equal value. That is why voting is considered an unalienable right of voters.
• In a democratic system, elections are the greatest mission because the determination of the nature of the political system, governance, government, policy and leadership is made by each vote cast by every voter.
• I believe that by participating in this mission, all voters will safeguard their respective rights. Participating in this project is also the duty of every sovereign voter.
• Voter participation in any election is considered the highest expression of political awareness, social responsibility and civic engagement. When citizens are aware of their rights and register as voters with awareness, and participate in elections as well-informed voters, only then does the sense of civic ownership towards governance increase.
• The Election Commission, being firmly determined to create an environment where elections are guided and conducted with faith, ideas, principles, and integrity without being affected by any undesirable activities, believes that there will be positive cooperation and sincere efforts from everyone in this task.
• In the context of election management, the Commission expresses its gratitude for the added energy, encouragement and motivation gained from the support and participation of all stakeholders including political parties, candidates, voters, civil society, journalists and the mass media, and expects continued cooperation.
• Elections are the cornerstone of a representative governance system and provide legitimacy and assurance to the people’s right to govern through representatives of their choice. Therefore, I wholeheartedly urge all voters to attend their respective polling stations on Thursday and vote with confidence.

—

105-year-old casts vote from Chapali polling centre

Kathmandu, March 5: Voting under the House of Representatives (HoR) election-2026 has been underway since 7:00 am today.

 As the first voter at the Chapali polling center of Budhanikantha Municipality-2, 105-year-old Chandra Bahadur Khadka cast his vote.

Talking to RSS briefly after the meeting, Khadka said he was very pleased to exercise his franchise at this age. “I wish the nation gets a competent and honest representative committed to the cause of the citizens.”

 Local media person Anita Shreshtha said the participation of Khadka in the voting reflects the civic responsibility and duty towards democracy.

Other voters at the polling center took a photo with him, showing their respect for the centenarian voter and making the moment memorable.

—

Home Ministry team monitoring voting

Kathmandu, March 5: In the context of the election security, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha, along with chiefs of security bodies and senior officials of the Home Ministry, have monitored the election.

Minister Aryal, along with a team of heads of security agencies and senior officials of the Home Ministry, were monitoring all electoral constituencies from the Home Ministry’s ‘Control Room’, according to the Home Minister’s private secretary Parshuram Pokhrel.

—

Sampang, Chair of Shram Sanskriti Party, votes from Dharan-18

Dharan (Sunsari), March 5: Harkaraj Rai, the Chair of Shram Sanskriti Party, voted under the House of Representatives (HoR) polls-2026.  He visited the Carmel High School-based polling center at Dharan Submetropolis-18 to cast his vote.

Smapang is contesting the HoR elections from the Sunsari constituency-1 after resigning as the Mayor of Dharan Sub-metropolis. Elected the Mayor as an independent candidate, he later formed the Shram Sanskriti Party. Voting has been underway peacefully at all polling centers here since the morning. 

—

National Assembly Chair Dahal votes

Chitwan, March 5: National Assembly (NA) Chairman Narayan Dahal has cast his vote at the Nepal Police School polling centre located at Ward No 14, Shantipur, Bharatpur Metropolitan City under the House of Representatives election.

After casting his ballot, the NA Chair stated that he is confident that the elected representatives will work according to the people’s demands.

—

107-year-old exercises his franchise from Tanahu-2

Damauli (Tanahu), March 5: One-hundred- and seven-year-old Ganesh Bahadur Rawat today voted under the House of Representatives (HoR) from Shuklagandaki municipality-3 in Tanahu.

He visited the Nirmal Basic Secondary School, Bankewa polling centre under the Tanahu constituency-2 to cast his vote. Following the voting, he said he was very happy to have cast his ballot.

—

104-year-old woman votes in Mechinagar

Jhapa, March 5: A 104-year-old woman has voted at the polling centre of Dhulabari Secondary School, located in Mechinagar Municipality-10, under the House of Representatives member election.

The voter in Jhapa 1, local Tulasa Koirala, cast her vote. She had come to the polling station with the support of her son and grandson.

—

Chairman of Janamat Party, CK Raut, votes in Saptari

Rajbiraj (Saptari), March 5: National Chairperson of the Janamat Party, Dr CK Raut, has voted at the Devnarayan Aamala Basic School polling centre located in Mahadeva Rural Municipality-2 of Saptari Constituency No 2.

He is contesting in the House of Representatives Member election from this constituency for the second time. Dr Raut was previously elected from the same constituency in the 2079 general elections.

Aam Janata Party Chair Sah casts ballot in Rautahat

Similarly, the chairman of the Aam Janata Party, Prabhu Sah, has cast his vote in today’s House of Representatives member election.

Sah, who is also a candidate from Rautahat Constituency No. 3, voted from the ward office voting centre at Ward No 3 of Maulapur Municipality, Rautahat.

Chairperson Sah urged all voters to vote by treating the election as a celebration.

Meanwhile, Chief District Officer of Rautahat, Dinesh Sagar Bhusal, stated that the election was taking place peacefully at all polling centres in the district.

—

Former President Yadav calls for choosing right force through election

Dhanushadham (Dhanusha), March 5: Former President Dr Ram Baran Yadav has said that the House of Representatives (HoR) election-2026 will deliver the people’s mandate in favour of forces capable of protecting the Constitution.

Casting his vote at the polling centre at BP Koirala Secondary School in Sapahi, Laxminiya Rural Municipality-4 today, the first President of Nepal urged voters to choose a democratic force that can safeguard the Constitution and address the sentiments and aspirations of youths.

Stating that the election is being held two years ahead of schedule, he called on voters to exercise their voting rights seriously and conscientiously.

“We are in the election mission amidst an adverse situation in the country. I hope the election concludes in a peaceful atmosphere and that the people’s mandate helps establish stability in the nation,” he said.

Noting that Nepal’s Constitution remains an achievement of democratic movements, he said that the people’s movements of 2007 BS, 2046 BS and 2062–63 BS, along with the Madhesh Movement, played significant roles towards that end.

Recalling the September 8–9 Gen Z movement, he said the protest was based on genuine concerns, but regressive forces were responsible for promoting instability through arson and vandalism.

Stressing the need to choose the right forces, he said the success of the election would help bring stability to the country.

—

HoR polls: 18 percent turnout till 12:00 noon

Kathmandu, March 5: Voting under the House of Representatives (HoR) Election -2026 has been underway since 7:00 am this morning. As of 12:00 noon, the voter turnout was around 18 percent, the Election Commission said.

According to EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, till 12:00 noon, the EC system has received information that 3,163,736 votes (around 18 percent) were cast. The voting is taking place enthusiastically across the country, it has been said. 

—