The Election Commission (EC) is preparing to print separate ballot papers for the federal and provincial elections under the first-past-the-post system as per the Supreme Court (SC) order.

A single bench of Justice Dambar Bahadur Shahi on October 25 had ordered the EC to ensure separate ballot papers for the upcoming polls under the FPTP system and present a report on the progress made to that effect since its earlier ruling on October 18. 

Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said that the EC is positive towards SC decision and they will make final decision on the issue tomorrow. He further said that the election timetable would remain intact.

Earlier, the EC had said it would be impossible to hold elections on November 26 with separate ballot papers for federal and provincial elections.

On October 20, the EC had formed a committee headed by EC Joint Secretary Dinesh Ghimire to find what could be done regarding SC ruling. The committee submitted its report on October 22, stating that printing two separate ballot papers would affect the poll calendar, according to EC officials.

The EC, which is close to completing printing ballot papers for elections under the proportional representation system, was planning to start printing FPTP ballot papers from October 27.