A brief background of Karnali Province is one of the seven federal provinces of Nepal formed by the new constitution which was adopted on 20 September 2015. The total area of the province is 27,984 square kilometers (10,805 sq mi) covering 18.97% of the country, making it the largest province in Nepal. According to the 2011 Nepal census, the population of the province was 1,570,418, making it the least populous province in Nepal. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China to the north, Gandaki Province to the east, Sudurpashchim Province to the west, and Lumbini Province to the south. Birendranagar with a population of 154,886 is both the province’s capital and largest city. Among various spoken languages in the Province Nepali is spoken by 94.90 percent population. Sinja Valley, the place of origin of the Nepali Language lies in the Jumla district of the Province.
Other major languages spoken in the Province are Magar 2.46%, Tharu 0.44%, Bhote/Lama 0.75%, Kham 0.34%, Gurung 0.28%, Sherpa 0.19% and others 0.65%. The largest ethnic group in the Province is Chhetri (41.9%). Similarly, there are 15.8% Kami, 10.9% Magar, 10.3% Thakuri, Brahmin (8.4%), Damai (4%), Sarki 2.6%), Sanyasi (1.7%), and others 1.6%. The majority of the population is Hindu (95.14%) in the Province predominantly followed by Buddhist (3.19%), Christian (1.36%), Muslim (0.18%), and others (0.1%). Out of the total population of the province (1570418), 49.31% of the population are residing in the urban area. As per Economic Survey (2019/20), Karnali Province contributes 4% to the national GDP and it is estimated to have a growth rate of 3.6% in the fiscal year 2019/20.
(Source: Nepal Outlook)
Report by: Punam Swati Magar
Observer: Punam Swati Magar
Place of Posting: Hansavir Higher Secondary School
Observer Report by Punam Swati Magar: On the 20th of November 2022, the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly member elections were completed in a peaceful manner at Karnali-5, Surkhet, Birendranagar Municipality at Hansavir Higher Secondary School.
Appointed Personnel for each voting booth: There were 4 Male Government appointed Polling Officers and 4 Government appointed women Polling Officers. There were also 15 Male Government appointed representatives and 20 women Government appointed representatives. There was a total of 4774 Polling papers brought to the Polling Center. The polling started at 7 PM and ended duly at 5:30 after it was announced. Since it was all managed swiftly and planned well, there were no voters left who could not cast a poll.
Security and safety for voting systematically: There were 19 Male Security Personnel and 12 Women Security Personnel. There were 5 Women Government and 12 Male Government Officers. There were no incidents reported regarding safety issues.
Code of Conduct and Systemization for Safe Voting: While there were ambulances and precautions taken to Accommodate Persons with Disabilities, Elderly Pollers, and Pregnant women, the center was not wheelchair-friendly. Volunteers helped assist people who had had time to read, and cast polls for their desired candidate in an ethical and monitored way. Observers did not face much difficulty entering and doing their job once the identification and roles were sorted out with the Security personnel at the gate.
Report by: Dhan Gharti Magar
Observer:Dhan Gharti Magar
Place of Posting: Bebare-12
Observer Report by Dhan Gharti Magar: On the 20th of November 2022, the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly member elections were completed in a peaceful manner at Surkhet, Karnali Pradesh, Bebare-12.
Appointed Personnel for each voting booth: There were 4 Male Government Appointed Polling Officers and 6 Female Government Appointed Officers. There were also 20 Women Government Appointed Representatives and 15 Government Appointed Representatives. The recorded number of Polling Papers brought to the Polling Center was 4774. The Polling Booths were monitored diligently at all times by the appointed personnel. No one was allowed to vote unless registered beforehand.
Security and safety for voting systematically: The Polling ended duly once it was announced. There were 9 women Security Personnel and 13 Male Security personnel in the Election Center. The beginning and the end of the polling were announced in a well-timely manner and any discarded or damaged polling papers were all recorded properly.
Code of Conduct and Systemization for Safe Voting: There were no precautions taken in terms of first aid and ambulance or Persons with disabilities-friendly structures. There was only one volunteer appointed to help people with problems with polling.
