A visit to Election Commission

Ballot boxes

Electronic Voting Machine

We got a chance to visit the Election Commission of Nepal recently. It was a different experience as I felt that it was the most well managed government office in the country. The building was clean and nice with the facility of lift, comfortable rest rooms, water, television and many more. The objective of our visit was to get the knowledge about election process. The history, process and tools used in election was the main focus.

Ballot papers

ballot papers

There were four stages of our enlightenment process inside the office. First was the mini museum where we got to see the historical materials used in election of the past and recent. Ballot boxes, ballot papers and even the electronic voting machine was one of the few things that we viewed.

materials used in elections

electoral materials used in constituent assembly election

Second stage was the screening of a documentary about the election history and process in Nepal. It included most of the historical events that occured in Neapl and were ultimately decided by the election process. It was well presented but still lacked some important stuffs.

Third stage was a  kind of test for us. We were given multiple choice and match the following type  question papers and there were four sections equipped with audio, video and touch screen tyoe resources that provided us with different information on the election and governance system of the country. We had to rotate in turns to all sections and fill those question papers. 

Voters List

We learnt pretty much about the election and its importance, types of governance and other stuffs related to the legislative, executive and judiciary of the country.

Fourth and the last stage was the real demonstration of a election process as it would take place during the election. There are two processes of casting votes, one is manual through the use of ballot box and papers and another is through the EVM(Electronic Voting Machine).
We voted through both the processes and observed the result. The result was the same but EVM was much more easier and faster than the traditional system.
It was very exciting as well as informative to us all.