The Election Commission of Nepal has stated that voters must carry their voter ID card while going to cast their vote.
Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai clarified the voting process and required documents to ensure voters face no inconvenience at polling centers.
He said that under the voter education program, awareness has been provided through digital platforms and volunteers who reached households and neighborhoods. Voters are required to carry their voter ID card. However, if the card has been lost, damaged, or destroyed, voters may still cast their vote by presenting the original copy of their Nepali citizenship certificate, passport, national identity card, driving license, or land ownership certificate (Lalpurja).
Upon arriving at the polling center, the voter’s name will be verified in the voter list. After verification, the voter will first receive a ballot paper for the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) or direct election system. The voter must go to the secret ballot booth, stamp the election symbol of their preferred candidate, and drop the ballot into the designated ballot box for the direct category.
Immediately after casting the direct vote, the voter will be provided with a proportional representation (PR) ballot paper. Since the PR ballot is for political parties, voters must stamp the symbol of their preferred political party and place the ballot in a separate ballot box.
Bhattarai said the Commission has arranged separate entry and exit gates at polling centers to reduce crowding and ensure a smooth voting process. Voters will enter through one gate and exit through another after completing the voting procedure.
He expressed confidence that voter education efforts conducted by the Commission, political parties, and mass media have adequately informed voters about the process and necessary requirements.
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