Local level by-polls held peacefully

BY A STAFF REPROTER,Kathmandu, Dec. 2: Local-level by-elections concluded peacefully all across the country on Sunday.Issuing a press statement, the Election Commission (EC) informed that the elections were held peacefully and enthusiastically. On Sunday, the elections were conducted in 32 local levels across 31 districts to fill 41 vacant positions. Altogether, 376 candidates contested for 41 vacant positions, including a mayor, a deputy mayor, two chairpersons, four deputy chairpersons and 33 ward chairpersons. 

According to the Election Commission (EC), a total of 410 nominations were submitted, consisting of 289 candidates from political parties and 121 independent candidates for 44 vacant positions. Among them, 31 candidates withdrew their nominations while three have been elected unopposed. 

The final voter list for the local levels and wards where by-elections were held showed a total of 226,799 registered voters. According to the EC, voter turnout was approximately 62 per cent. 

According to district correspondents, in Bajura, 3,903 out of 7,460 registered voters cast their ballots in the election for the vice-chairman of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality.

In Musikot Municipality-1 of Gulmi district, 57.1 per cent (2,334) of voters participated in the ward chairperson election. In Sarkegad Rural Municipality, approximately 66 per cent of voters cast their ballots.

Meanwhile, 79.92 per cent (1,434) of the votes were cast in Sani Bheri Rural Municipality-5 of Rukum (West) district. Here the by-election was conducted to elect ward chairperson of Sani Bheri Rural Municipality-5. Motiram Khatri from the Nepali Congress and Jasiram Basnet from the CPN (Maoist Centre) are competing for the position here.

In the by-election held in Sirijangha Rural Municipality-3 of Taplejung district, voter turnout stood at 58.31 per cent. Similarly, in Dhanushadham Municipality-1 of Dhanusha district, 69.99 per cent (2,298) of voters cast their votes in the election for the position of ward chairperson. 

The EC directed that vote counting should begin promptly. For local levels with only a single polling station, the votes will be counted on-site. 

Home Minister thanks all for participating in by-election

Minister for Home Affairs Ramesh Lekhak has expressed his gratitude to everyone who participated in the by-election on Sunday.

Voting took place on Sunday for 41 positions across various local levels. According to the Election Commission, the voters' turnout was approximately 62 per cent.

Following the completion of polling processes, Home Minister Lekhak thanked everyone involved in the by-election.

"I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all voters, the Election Commission, political parties, security personnel, civil servants, media personnel, and all brothers and sisters who participated in the election and make it successful," he wrote on social media on Sunday.

Highlighting that the voting process for the by-election across 41 positions in various districts was conducted peacefully, he further said, "Elections are the backbone of democracy."