KATHMANDU: Lower voter turnout was recorded in the country’s hill districts during the House of Representatives election held on March 5. Nationwide turnout stood at 58.07 percent, but participation in the hill districts appeared even lower. The Election Commission said that out of 18,903,689 registered voters, only 10,977,711 ballots were cast.

Turnout also declined compared with the 2022 House of Representatives election, when 61.37 percent of votes were cast nationwide. This year’s participation is 3.31 percentage points lower.

According to Commission data, 18 districts recorded less than 50 percent turnout. Except for Dhanusha, all of them are hill districts. Overall, 47 of the country’s 77 districts recorded turnout below the national average of 58.07 percent.

Among the hill districts, the lowest turnout was recorded in Achham, where only 39.18 percent of voters cast ballots across its two constituencies. Other districts with low participation include Doti, Khotang, Bhojpur, Bajhang, Rolpa, Baitadi, Rolpa (repeated), Okhaldhunga, Ramechhap, Solukhumbu, Dadeldhura, Arghakhanchi, Panchthar, Dailekh, and Dolakha. Similarly, turnout remained low in Baglung, Kalikot, Pyuthan, Gulmi, Taplejung, Gorkha, Tanahun, Salyan, Udayapur, Bajura, Parbat, Sankhuwasabha, Sindhuli, Tehrathum, Darchula, Myagdi, Dhankuta, Lamjung, Syangja, Rukum Purba, Rautahat, Kailali, Palpa, Sindhupalchok, Saptari, Mustang, Ilam, Nuwakot, Jumla, Dhading, Jajarkot, and Surkhet.

In contrast, urban and Terai districts recorded turnout higher than the national average. The highest turnout was in Bhaktapur at 71.46 percent. The top 30 districts with participation above the national average include Bhaktapur, Parsa, Lalitpur, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Paschim), Kathmandu, Dolpa, Rupandehi, Humla, Bara, Morang, Chitwan, Jhapa, Kapilvastu, Sunsari, Banke, Siraha, Sarlahi, Mugu, Rasuwa, Bardiya, Nawalparasi (Bardaghat Susta Purba), Bardiya (repeated), Kavrepalanchok, Mahottari, Makwanpur, Rukum West, Kanchanpur, Dang, Manang, and Kaski.

Among the mountain districts, Dolpa, Humla, and Mugu also recorded turnout higher than the national average.