ILAM/PANCHTHAR – Building on the logistical preparations for the House of Representatives elections, the Office of the Election Officer has finalised the designated counting stations for the key constituencies of Ilam and Panchthar.

Following the successful template established in neighbouring Jhapa, authorities have selected venues that prioritise security and accessibility for party representatives and election observers.

Ilam District: Dual Venues Established

In Ilam, the counting process will be split between two major hubs to accommodate the district’s two federal constituencies:

• Ilam-1: Votes will be tallied at the Suryodaya Municipality Office in Phikkal. As a central economic and administrative hub for the region, Phikkal was chosen for its ability to securely house the ballot boxes from the surrounding rural municipalities.
• Ilam-2: The counting for this constituency will take place at the Gautam Buddha City Hall (Sabhagriha) located in the district headquarters, Ilam Bazaar. This venue has traditionally served as the nerve centre for high-stakes political events in the district.

Panchthar District: Sports Hub Turns Election Centre

In Panchthar, officials have opted for a large-scale facility capable of handling the district-wide count under one roof.

• Panchthar (Single Constituency): The Badminton Covered Hall of the District Coordination Committee (DCC) has been officially designated as the counting station. The spacious indoor facility in Phidim is currently being outfitted with CCTV cameras and secure partitions to maintain the integrity of the count.