KATHMANDU: Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal and Election Commission’s office-bearers have discussed the EC’s works carried out in accordance with the approved schedule for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections.

The EC has been expediting preparations for the HoR polls scheduled for March 5 and the National Assembly (NA) which is being held on coming January 25.

During the discussion held on Saturday at the EC, Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari apprised Minister Aryal that the election-related preparations were progressing regularly and on schedule in line with the timetable approved by the EC.

Officiating Chief Commissioner Bhandari further explained that the Offices of Returning Officers had already been established and more than 80 per cent of works were completed in terms of election preparations.

Bhandari shared that the EC is keeping close surveillance to ensure compliance of the election code of conduct.

During the discussion, Minister Aryal stated that adequate preparations had been made by the government for security provisions.

He pledged to identify the areas requiring mutual coordination between the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Election Commission and assured to enhance collaboration in regard to the upcoming elections.

The Home Minister went on to say that the government would guarantee security during the election, from election preparation to voting process and vote counting process, in accordance with the integrated security plan.

Commission’s Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut briefed the Minister that the printing of the ballot papers for the NA elections were completed while the EC has entered into the phase of dispatching ballot papers and other election related materials to the concerned offices.