With the announcement of the local level elections, the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has begun making preparations for holding the polls in a free, fair and peaceful manner. The local polls are scheduled to be held across the country on May 13 this year. It needs no mention that free and fair elections are the prerequisite of democracy as they help institutionalise grassroots democracy and ensure people’s direct participation in the political and decision-making process. Polls also help prompt political debates and public dialogues which are essential for democracy to foster. The local elections hold a lot of significance because they provide an opportunity to the grassroots voters to elect their representatives for carrying out the development activities and service delivery that are directly linked to their day-to-day life.

The ECN, according to a news report carried by this daily, is mulling to use Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in the upcoming local elections to lessen the cost and possible intricacies. For this, the election body has started conducting a feasibility study on the application of the machines. The commission has decided to form a committee led by Anil Kumar Dutta, Joint Secretary of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology, to study the prospects of EVMs at least in some urban areas. The committee also includes representatives from the Department of Industry, Nepal Bureau of Standards and Metrology and other relevant bodies. The panel that has been mandated to study the issues such as the availability and authenticity of EVMs is going to submit its report within seven days. The ECN would use the EVMs as recommended by the committee with the consensus among the political parties taking part in the elections.

The ECN aims to utilise the machine developed by youth scientists Ram and Laxman after assessing their accuracy and credibility. Even if it is not possible for the ECN to opt for the new technology throughout the country, it is thinking of using it in six metropolises and six municipalities in the Kathmandu Valley. Similarly, the election body is also managing to record all the proceedings of the polling centres during the voting and vote counting on close circuit televisions (CCTVs) cameras, drones and other technologies in a bid to hold the elections in an impartial and fearless manner. Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said that all the video records of the polls and vote counting would be brought to the ECN to evaluate the elections. There will be about 23,500 polling centres across the nation. The Chief Election Commissioner has assured that no one can now think of winning polls by using unfair means.

The ECN is unveiling a new election code of conduct soon. The code envisages monitoring elections from the local level. In the past, the ECN offices based in the districts used to oversee the enforcement of the code of conduct. In the meantime, a digital communication campaign is going to be launched in order to bring down the number of vote cancellations. For this, notices and reminders will be sent to the cell phone numbers of voters on the day of elections. The ECN is also planning to use social and online media extensively. Besides, it is coming up with a new idea of voter awareness and education. Under this plan, a help desk with two educators at each polling station will be mobilised to educate voters before casting their votes. If necessary, this voter education will be imparted in local languages.