In preparation for the upcoming National Assembly elections scheduled for January 25, the Election Commission (EC) has made the sample ballot publicly available on its website. The release, which occurred on Wednesday, aims to familiarize voters with the ballot design and facilitate a smooth voting process.
The sample ballot, categorized by province, visually represents the voting materials that will be utilized during the elections. Notably, Mayors, deputy mayors, and chairpersons-vice-chairpersons will cast their votes using a distinct red-colored ballot, while members of the Provincial Assembly will utilize a green-colored ballot.
51 candidates from eight political parties are vying for positions in the National Assembly election. The candidate nominations were officially registered on January 8, paving the way for a diverse pool of contestants across the provinces.
Breaking down the distribution of candidates, the commission has outlined five candidates each in Koshi and Madhes, 15 in Bagmati, eight in Gandaki, and six in Lumbini Province. Similarly, Karnali Province and Sudurpashchim Province each feature six candidates.
To ensure inclusivity, the commission has allocated positions for specific groups. There are 18 candidates representing the women’s group, five for the Dalit group, eight for persons with disabilities or minority communities, and 20 for other groups. This diverse representation aims to uphold the principles of equality and inclusiveness in the electoral process.
As the election date approaches, the Election Commission remains committed to transparency and providing the electorate with the necessary information for a well-informed voting experience. The release of the sample ballot marks a crucial step in this direction, setting the stage for a democratic and participatory National Assembly election.
