Baglung — A polling officer deployed for the House of Representatives election in Baglung has been stripped of his responsibility on the eve of polling day over conduct deemed inconsistent with electoral integrity. Prakash Gaire, assigned as polling officer at Ramuwa Basic School polling center in Galkot Municipality-10 under Baglung Constituency No. 2, was removed from his post following concerns raised by election authorities.
Gaire, who serves as an administrative officer at Dhorpatan Municipality, was relieved of his election duty after officials concluded that he was unable to perform his responsibilities in accordance with the required standards of neutrality and professionalism. According to Bhim Prasad Subedi, the election officer of Baglung Constituency No. 2, certain statements and activities shared by Gaire in a WhatsApp group of polling officers could negatively affect the integrity, fairness and credibility of the election.
The election office stated that Gaire was found engaging in activities inappropriate for an official entrusted with conducting polling duties. He has been directed to immediately hand over ballot papers and other voting materials in his custody to security personnel and report to the election officer’s office without delay.
Authorities confirmed that the Election Commission Nepal, the Office of the Chief Election Officer in Baglung, the District Administration Office and the District Election Office have been formally informed about the decision.
Following his removal, Bhuwan Bahadur Kunwar has been appointed as the new polling officer at the concerned polling station to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of voting in the constituency.
