The staggered elections announced for November 13 in six phases will be the costliest and longest so far with 15 districts going to the polls in the first phase, 14 district in the second phase, 13 districts in the third phase, 10 districts in the fourth phase, 12 districts in the fifth phase and 11 districts in the sixth phase.

There will be altogether 10,858 pooling boots for the six-phase staggered vote beginning from November 13. There were 6800 polling centres in the 1999 vote. The Election Commission has ordered additional ballot boxes from India.

Altogether 14.7 million people are eligible to cast their ballot in Nepal’s fourth national elections in 12 years.

Districts going to the polls on November 13 under the first phase are Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, Dhanusa, Solukhumbu, Okhaldhunga, Khotang, Morang, Mustang, Nawalparasi, Humla, Mugu, Dolpa, Darchula and Baitadi.

Likewise the districts going to the polls on November 25 under the second phase include Taplejung, Shankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Sindhupalchok, Rasuwa, Sarlahi, Rupandehi, Kapilbastu, Kaski, Jumla, Kalikot, Rukum, and Bajura Bajhang.

Under the third phase elections to be held on December 7, districts Panchthar, Terathum, Dhankuta, Dolakha, Dhading, Makawanpur, Parsa, Gorkha, Lamjung, Tanahu, Salyan, Dailekh and Accham will go to the polls.

The districts going to the polls on December 18 in the fourth phase are Ilam, Jhapa, Ramecchap, Chitwan, Syangja, Parbat, Pyuthan, Banke, Bardiya and Doti.

Similarly the districts where elections are slated for December 29 under the fifth phase include Morang, Sunsari, Sindhuli, Nuwakot, Rautahat, Palpa, Myagdi, Rolpa, Jajarkot, Dang, Kailai and Dadeldhura.

Under the sixth and the last phase to be held on January 10, Saptari, Siraha, Udayapur, Mahottari, Bara, Kavre, Baglung, Argakhachi, Gulmi, Surkhet and Kanchanpur will go to the polls.