. The printing of ballot papers has reached the final stage. According to the Election Commission, the printing of ballot papers in the electoral constituencies surrounding the Kathmandu Valley is yet to be done.

The ballot paper printing is being carried out regularly at the Janak Education Materials Centre in Bhaktapur. According to the Election Commission, the printing of ballot papers has been completed in 133 constituencies of 63 districts for the election to the member of the House of Representatives scheduled for March 4.

So far, 171 lakh 63 thousand ballot papers have been printed, said EC Assistant Spokesperson Prakash Neupane. Ballot papers have been printed in Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum (western part), Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura, Achham, Bajhang, Doti and Dadeldhura.

Similarly, the printing of ballot papers has been completed in Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, Sunsari, Taplejung, Sankhuwasabha, Solukhumbu, Khotang, Dhankuta, Baglung, Gulmi, Jhapa, Gorkha, Myagdi, Parbat, Bardaghat, Susta West (Nawalparasi) and Morang.

Likewise, the printing of ballot papers has been completed in 63 districts including Udayapur, Mustang, Lamjung, Tanahun, Syangja, Bardiya, Rukum (East), Dang, Banke, Nawalparasi (east of Bardaghat Susta), Palpa, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Rupandehi, Rolpa, Manang, Ramechhap, Sindhuli, Rasuwa, Sindhupalchowk, Kaski, Kapilvastu, Dolakha, Nuwakot and Kavrepalanchowk.

Now, ballot papers are left to be printed only in 14 districts around the Kathmandu Valley. The ballot papers are expected to be printed in three days, said Neupane. The ballot papers of the printed districts have been packed. So far, 15,371 ballot boxes have been packed. Currently, around 1,000 ballot boxes are being packed and 11-15 lakh ballot papers are being printed in a day.

The printing of ballot papers began on January 22. According to the EC, 10 lakh 98 thousand 200 sample ballot papers have been printed in the first phase and sent to various districts. In the second phase, 208.30 million ballot papers have been printed and prepared for packing and verification, according to the EC. According to the EC, 203,23,000 ballot papers have to be printed for the first-past-the-post election.

Meanwhile, the EC has started dispatching the ballot papers to 12 electoral constituencies of 10 districts in Karnali province from today. According to Neupane, the ballot papers have been transported to 12 electoral constituencies of 10 districts of Karnali Province including Salyan, Rukum West, Dolpa, Mugu, Humla, Kalikot, Jumla, Jajarkot, Dailekh and Surkhet.