Election materials and staff have yet to reach 12 of 23 polling centres in Upper Dolpa. Despite using one helicopter on Saturday and two on Sunday, deliveries remained incomplete.

Chief District Officer Junu Hamal said 11 flights have been made so far—one on Saturday and ten on Sunday.

“All six centres in Dolpobuddha Rural Municipality have received staff and materials. On Sunday, we sent supplies to Phu, Phot, Bhijer and Nizal in Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality. However, deliveries to some centres in the rural municipality and all six centres in Chharka Tangsong Rural Municipalityare still pending,” Hamal said. Deliveries are expected on Monday or Tuesday.

Strong winds from around 2pm hampered Sunday flights, and if helicopters cannot reach lower Shey Phoksundo, staff will walk to the polling centres, Hamal added. One of the two helicopters in Dolpa has already returned.

In lower Dolpa, deliveries to polling centres across six local levels continue, according to the Office of the Chief Returning Officer.

Dolpa has 70 polling centres staffed by 383 personnel. The constituency has 24,115 registered voters, including 12,187 women and 11,928 men.

Six candidates are contesting the March 5 polls.