Japanese envoy hands over ballot boxes to the Election Commission

Tsutomu Hiraoka, Japanese Ambassador to Nepal, has handed over semi-transparent ballot boxes to the Election Commission of Nepal at a function organized today in Biratnagar. These materials were purchased by utilizing the Non-project Grant Aid (NPGA) extended by the Government of Japan to Nepal in Japan’s Fiscal Year 2006.

The Government of Japan extended a grant assistance of 9.3 million US dollars to the Government of Nepal in Japan’s Fiscal Year 2006 under the Non-Project Grant Aid. Out of this, the Government of Nepal utilized the sum of approximately 1.3 million US dollars to procure 60,000 ballot boxes and lids, 860,000 security seals, stickers for the boxes and their transportation to Nepal. 

The procured materials will be delivered to Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bhairahawa, Nepalgunj and Kathmandu and later will be transported to the polling stations scattered all over Nepal for using them in the upcoming Constituent Assembly (CA) Election.

In addition, the Japanese government already provided IT equipment to the Election Commission to expedite the work related to the election, and six trainees from Nepal have already been trained in Japan on Japanese Electoral System. Similarly, Japan supported seminars in collaboration with the Election Commission to promote understanding of the importance of the election. The Japanese government has also dispatched long and short-term Japanese experts to provide technical support on various aspects relating to the CA election. 

Speaking on the occasion, Japanese envoy said that Japan, as a dedicated development partner and close friend, is pleased to assist the efforts in the peace process in Nepal, including the holding of the Constituent Assembly Election.

He further expressed his hope that the materials handed over to the Election Commission will help conduct the election smoothly and contribute to the efforts of Nepali people in establishing peace and democracy in Nepal.