EC Extends Voter Registration Deadline by Five Days

The Election Commission has extended the voter registration deadline by five days. The earlier deadline was November 16. New voters can now register until November 21.

The extension was announced on Friday, November 14. It follows repeated requests from Prime Minister Sushila Karki.

According to the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Prime Minister Sushila Karki spoke with the Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari on Friday. She repeated her request that the commission extend the deadline, considering strong public interest in the registration process and mounting pressure at registration centres across the country.

The decision comes a day after the launch of a new system that allows citizens with a National Identity Card (NID) to register online. Previously, the process relied solely on citizenship certificates. Applicants had to visit registration offices in person to provide biometric details.

Under the earlier system, applicants were required to pre-register online through the EC’s website before visiting district or provincial offices for biometrics. Under the new system, citizens with NIDs no longer need to appear in person. Their biometric verification will be completed digitally through the national ID database.

EC Calls Parties to Register for Upcoming Polls

The Election Commission has also called on political parties wishing to contest the upcoming parliamentary elections to register.

In a notice issued on Friday, November 14, the EC said registration would open from November 17 to 26 for parties seeking to contest the House of Representatives election, and from November 17 to 23 for the National Assembly election.

Parties must submit an application along with a copy of the decision made by their central committees, annual audit reports, and other required documents.

The notice states: “If two or more parties are willing to contest the HoR election using the same election symbol, they need to include the information in the application.”

Election for one-third of the National Assembly seats that will fall vacant by March 4, 2026 is scheduled for January 25. The election for Members of the House of Representatives has been set for March 5.

(With inputs from RSS)