Historic turnout in 2nd CA polls: EC

KATHMANDU, NOV 19 - The Election Commission has said the second Constituent Assembly elections conducted on Tuesday saw a historic turnout . 

Addressing a press conference organised after the completion of CA polls at Election Commission (EC) office in the Capital today, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Nilkantha Uprety said around 70 percent registered voters cast their votes in the second CA polls. "According to preliminary report, an estimated 70 percent votes were cast but the exact figure could go up," said Uprety, expressing his happiness about the enthusiastic participation of voters. "Today's voter turnout will record a history, we will never forget that." 

CEC Uprety has thanked everyone including the political parties, candidates, employees, security agencies, and media for participating in the elections. 

He attributed the update of voter roll with photo, revision of the voters' list and technical preparation for the increase in voter turnout. He said the eager participation of voters in the Nepal's election will set an example for the nations in the process of institutionalising democracy. 

Uprety said the case of Thawang in Rolpa district where not even a single voter turned up for voting should be taken as an exception. Informing that the voting was not cancelled at any election booths except one in Jumla district, he directed the concerned officials to conduct voting in the polling centre at the earliest. 

He said the results of all 240 election constituenceis will be out within the next 7 to 10 days. He informed the vote counting will being from today itself in mainstream districts and from tomorrow in far-flung district.

According to EC, Dolpa district saw the highest 83 percent of votes cast, while 80 percent votes were cast in Dolakha and Rautahat district. The EC has speculated that the lowest percent of vote cast is 65 percent. 

The EC has informed that it will make public the vote counting results in district and constituency level. 

Uprety said the EC has not received official information about the incident of capture in Siraha, Gorkha and Sarlahi districts.