Voting enthusiasm has surged across the country since early morning. Polling centres are lively, and while minor incidents occurred in a few places, the overall atmosphere is festive.
Amid this, several interesting and memorable scenes were observed.
Balen joins voter line in black and white attire
Balen, one of the most talked-about figures, contested from Jhapa–5, where his main competitor is KP Sharma Oli. However, he could not vote himself, as he is registered in Kathmandu–2.
Early in the morning, he arrived at the polling centre at Annapurna School in Sinamangal, where long lines of voters had already formed. Dressed in black coat pants, a white T-shirt, and white shoes, he patiently waited his turn with hands folded. After voting, he left quickly without speaking, seemingly too busy to pause for photos. When journalists tried to get a comment, he silently boarded a red car, sat in the driver’s seat, and drove off through the crowd at speed.
Hark brings his mother to vote
Hark Sampang, known for his outspoken Facebook posts, appeared very polite at the polling centre. Wearing a topi over his jacket, he placed his elderly mother in the front seat of a Scorpio vehicle. After stepping out from the rear door, he carefully helped his 83-year-old mother out and escorted her to the polling centre, saying, “I’m coming too.”
When asked about his voting expectations, he replied softly, “To win myself, to help the people win.” When someone jokingly asked if he couldn’t campaign here, he said, “No, otherwise I would have sung a song here too.”
No voters at Api Himal–3 in Darchula
Though voting began at 7 am, the polling centre in Api Himal Rural Municipality–3, Darchula, was deserted. Only election staff and security personnel were present, and no voters arrived by 10 am. Locals had earlier decided not to vote at two polling centres: Gaurishankar School in Naudad Village–1 and Dudhila School in Api Himal–3.
Since Magh 1, a struggle committee had maintained this stance. Attempts by the Chief District Officer and the province’s chief secretary to persuade them failed. There are a total of 346 registered voters in the area.
Prachanda poses with yellow helicopter in background
Prachanda appeared cheerful during the election, wearing a red muffler with two garlands, a neat coat and pants, and a black Bhadgaon-style topi. He posed for photos with a yellow helicopter in the background, standing among small children. This was in Rukum Purba, where he had arrived by helicopter. After voting in Chitwan, he went directly to Kamaldah, Sisne–5, Rukum Purba, appearing calm and composed.
Voting by prisoners in Parsa
Thirty-three prisoners in Parsa cast their votes for the House of Representatives proportional representation. They said being allowed to vote inside the prison made them feel part of the democratic process.
Gun discharge at Katari
A serious incident occurred at the Tavakhola (Kha) polling centre in Katari, Udayapur, when a security officer’s gun accidentally discharged, damaging a ballot box. Four votes had been cast by then, but no ballots were harmed.
Vote cast against a disabled voter’s will in Sindhupalchok
At Gadhosh Basic School polling centre in Panchpokhari Thangpal Rural Municipality, Sindhupalchok, a disabled voter alleged that the election officer cast their vote against their will, causing a brief halt in voting.
Rabi Lamichhane reverently salutes ballot box
Finally, Rabi Lamichhane made a notable appearance. At the polling centre at Mahankal Chaur, Upatyaka Khanepani Limited, Kathmandu–3, after casting his vote, he respectfully bowed to the ballot box and pressed it with full reverence, bending his nearly six-foot frame in a solemn gesture.
This election day, beyond numbers and turnout, had these memorable, human moments reflecting both dedication and unique personal styles of voters and public figures.
