On September 18, 2017, the third and final phase of local elections was held in Province 2 consisting of eight Tarai districts. Voters in newly formed local units turned out in impressive numbers to elect new representatives. Democracy Resource Center Nepal (DRCN) conducted long-term and short-term observations of these elections to provide a critical and independent assessment of the electoral and political processes around the elections. This preliminary statement outlines findings and makes recommendations based on DRCN’s observation before, during, and after the third phase of local elections.

There were six election-related incidents recorded between September 29 and October 21, a period before the nomination day for first past the post (FPTP) candidates of the first phase of national and provincial elections.

There were eight election-related incidents during the third phase local-level elections counting period. This is the lowest number of incidents during a counting period for all three phases of elections. 13 election-related incidents were recorded during the first phase counting period and 14 were recorded during the second phase.

On September 18, 2017, Nepal held its third and final phase of local elections. Citizens enthusiastically voted to elect representatives to the 136 local units of Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi and Siraha districts of Province 2. Voter turnout was 77 percent. Polls happened after a number of districts in Province 2 had witnessed significant flooding in the month of August.

There were eleven election-related incidents recorded during the campaign period for the September 18 third phase of local elections that ran from September 6 to 15. This was the lowest number of incidents recorded during all three phases of elections, with 56 incidents recorded during the first phase campaign period, and 89 incidents recorded during the second phase campaign period.

There was a small increase in the number of election-related incidents during this reporting period. This increase can be attributed to parties beginning preparations for the third phase of local elections that are scheduled for September 18. Seven election-related incidents were recorded between August 3 and September 5.

On June 28, 2017 the Second Phase of local elections was held in Provinces 1, 5, and 7. Voters in newly formed local units turned out in impressive numbers to elect new representatives for the first time in nearly 20 years. Democracy Resource Center Nepal (DRCN) conducted observation of the elections in order to provide a critical, independent, and high-quality assessment of the electoral and political processes around the elections. This preliminary statement outlines findings and makes recommendations based on DRCN‟s observation before, during, and after the Second Phase elections.

After the vote counting for the June 28 elections officially concluded on July 11, there was one election-related incident recorded by Nepal Monitor between July 12 and August 2. This is the lowest number of election-related incidents recorded during any equivalent time period since the announcement of local elections on February 20.