e voting process was completely suspended at booths including Soharpur School in Siraha constituency-2, Balram School in Sarlahi constituency-6, Benauli and Suga VDC buildings in Mahottari constituency-3, Janaki School, Kalauri and Sajhapur School of Meghauli in Chitwan constituency-5.

The election officials have already written formal letter to the EC informing about the postponement, the EC said.

The EC had deployed security personnel and its own team at many poll centres of Ramechhap following the report on voting process being affected.

The EC informed that the elections had to be postponed in those areas as some party cadres tried to capture booths, blank-fired and chased the voters away from the booths.

Over 60% turnout in CA polls The EC also informed that over 60 percent voters cast their votes at the polling booths across the country. Responding to a question why the voting percentage could not cross the 67 percent mark ( which happened during the last parliamentary elections), Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Bhoj Raj Pokhrel asked everyone not to compare the CA election with any other past elections. “The election which saw 67 percent turnout could not give an outlet to the country’s problems. This (CA) election is not just an election but part of the ongoing peace process in the country. And let’s hope this (CA) election which saw slightly over 60 percent turnout will provide a way out of our problems,” said CEC Pokrel. CEC Pokhrel also thanked the entire international community for observing the crucial polls. “We are thankful to the entire international community including the journalists from different countries who have participated in the election observation process,” he said.  The CEC also said that the Commission would try to publicise the results of the CA polls as soon as possible.

Posted on: 2008-04-10 06:10:44 (Server Time)