NC leading, UML following in initial vote counts

Kathmandu, Nov. 22: Vote counting for the twin elections have begun amid tight security since Sunday night.  Officials from the Election Commission (EC) representatives of the parties and the media are present at the poll counting centres. 

Recording of votes for all constituencies of Kathmandu, Bhaktpur and Lalitpur has begun. 

Likewise, counting has also begun in Kaski, Jhapa, Mustang, Dadeldhura, Saptari, Banke, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi West, Chitwan, Kaski, Arghakhachi, Ilam, Saptari, Nuwakot and Kavre among others. 

Based on preliminary counting reports, the  ruling Nepali Congress is likely to emerge as the biggest party from the elections to House of Representatives (HoR) and Provincial Assemblies (PA), as its candidates are leading in more constituencies of both HoR and PA. 

The main opposition CPN-UML, which had emerged as the largest party, winning 120 seats in 2017 general election, is trailing behind the NC in the preliminary counting. 

NC has been leading in  29 constituencies of  the HoR while the CPN-UML 

has been leading in 20 constituencies of HoR.

Likewise, the CPN (Unified Socialist) is leading in six seats of the 

HoR, Rastriya Swotantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party each in five seats, and others in 16 seats, as of 10:00 PM Monday. 

The preliminary result of vote counting shows surprising domination of the new party-Rastriya Swatantra Party led by Rabi Lammichhane. 

Lamichhane’s party with bell election symbol has led in six constituencies of densely populated area like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Jhapa and Kaski. The party fared well because it was backed by youth across the country as it has promised to build corruption-free society, and work for good governance and development. 

In the general election of 2017, two major parties, CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre) had forged alliance for the elections and secured majority of seats in both the federal and provincial parliaments. 

But this time, five ruling parties, including the Maoist Centre forged an electoral alliance under NC and went for the elections. 

Re-polling held in Nawalparasi

Re-election in two polling stations of East Nawalparasi was held peacefully on Monday.

The voting was halted at Shanti Shrijana Basic School in Jhakre of Devchuli Municipality-4 , after the ballot box under the proportional representation (PR) of Provincial Assembly was torched by local Narayan Bhandari on Sunday. 

According to EC’s Assistant spokesperson Surya Prasad Aryal, the re-election was concluded in a peaceful manner. The voting had begun at 7:00 am and concluded at 5:00 pm. 

Likewise, re-voting will be held on Tuesday at the polling station of Angidam ward office (B) of Chatthar Rural Municipality-1 in Terhathum district.  

The election was halted on Sunday after the ballot papers under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) elections of HoR and Provincial Assembly were swapped. 

According to Chief Returning Office Premash Pokharel, the decision was made to suspend the elections held on Sunday. “The re-election will take place on  Tuesday.”

Likewise, the re-election will be held on Tuesday at the polling station of Simta Multiple Campus of Simta Rural Municipality-6 of Surkhet, said Election Office Upendra Keshar Khanal. 

Earlier, the election was halted in the polling station after the  ballot papers of the HoR drooped into the boxes of the Provincial Assembly. The voting in three polling centres was cancelled on Sunday. NC leading, UML following in initial vote counts.