EC to Study Why Fewer Women Are on Voter List

Acting Chief Election Commissioner (ACEC) Ram Prasad Bhandari has said that the Election Commission (EC) will investigate why the number of women on the voter list is lower than expected. Speaking at the closing of the 'Election and Mass Media Workshop and Chief Trainer Training' on Friday, he noted that while the 2078 BS census shows more women in the population, fewer women appear in the voter list. During his visit to western Nepal, Bhandari said that women aged 50–60 told him their names were missing from the voter list. He expressed his commitment to study the matter and create an environment where such issues do not occur in the future.

Bhandari added that political parties will present their policies and programs through manifestos this week, and journalists should check whether these manifestos address issues important to today’s generation. Referring to the events of September 8 and 9, he said the EC has worked to bring parties that previously faced each other in different directions together to create a peaceful election environment. He described the EC and the media as two sides of the same coin, highlighting their shared role in conducting elections.

On the issue of Nepalis living abroad not being able to vote in the March 5 House of Representatives elections, Bhandari explained that the law does not currently allow this. He also mentioned that the EC is planning a cost-effective election, as it has not received support from foreign partners this time.

The training program included sessions on the Commission’s activities for the upcoming House of Representatives election, the election code of conduct and media responsibilities, voter education, correct voting methods, invalid ballots, and the use of EC information systems and social media monitoring tools. Journalist Rajanish Bhandari also spoke about the role of media in elections and how social media can be used and monitored responsibly.