Ballot boxes from seven Darchula polling stations to be transported by helicopter

Darchula: Following the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Falgun 21, ballot boxes from seven polling stations in Darchula will be transported by helicopter.

Assistant Chief District Officer and Information Officer Binod Dahal stated that the ballot boxes from Shirsindhar Basic School Bodhgaun, Sarvahit Basic School Dumling, and Ranisthan Basic School Mal in Byas Rural Municipality, as well as from Himalaya Basic School Patha, Bhawani Basic School Siti, Khandeshwori Secondary School, and Mahila Community Building Sitola in Api Himal Rural Municipality, will be airlifted.

The decision was made during a meeting chaired by Chief District Officer Anil Poudel at the District Administration Office, Darchula, which included representatives from all political parties to discuss ballot transportation and adherence to the election code of conduct. A small helicopter will be used for transportation, and party representatives agreed to accompany the ballot boxes and polling officers.

Dahal added that if weather conditions or other delays prevent helicopter transport, the administration and security agencies will arrange to move the ballot boxes on foot or by road.

Political party leaders in Darchula also committed to creating a secure environment for voters and cooperating fully with polling officers and security personnel. They agreed to strictly follow the Election Commission’s code of conduct, refrain from prohibited activities around polling stations, and observe the 48-hour silence period before voting, including halting all physical and social media campaigning.

In case of disputes at polling stations, issues will be resolved immediately through discussion and consensus between polling officers and party representatives, ensuring the voting process is not delayed. To maintain secure transportation, all parties agreed to use only safe routes designated by security agencies, minimizing delays and ensuring timely delivery of ballot boxes to counting centers.

The meeting was attended by Umesh Raj Joshi of CPN-UML, Pulendra Bahadur Karki of Nepali Congress, Dev Bahadur Bam of RPP, Parmananda Badu of RSP, Ganesh Singh Khatri of the Nepali Communist Party, and Shekhar Chandra Badu of Nepal Communist Party United.

Darchula has a single constituency for the House of Representatives, and candidates from 11 parties have filed their nominations.