Nepal EC Enhances Voter Education to Reduce Invalid Votes

Voter education becomes a key focus ahead of every election in Nepal. To address this, the Election Commission provides voter education year-round, not just during elections, for anyone interested in learning the process.

Despite these efforts, a significant number of votes are invalid. In the 2022 local elections, 13 percent of votes were rejected, while in the provincial and parliamentary elections, 5 percent were discarded, highlighting the need for voter education.

Voter education programs teach participants how to cast their votes correctly, identify polling stations, and maintain ballot secrecy.

While primarily targeting students in grades 9 through 12, the programs are also open to community groups and interested individuals.

For nearly 12 years, the Commission has run these programs across the country, including outside Kathmandu, ensuring rural communities…where most invalid votes occur…also receive training.

Officials say such education strengthens democratic participation and reduces invalid ballots.