By-election concludes: 62% voter turnout

KATHMANDU: The local level by-election held on Sunday has concluded.

The voting, which began at 7 AM, ended at 5 PM. The by-election took place in 41 vacant local levels across the country.

Elections were held for various positions, including one mayor, one deputy mayor, two rural municipality chairs, four deputy chairs, and 33 ward chairs.

The Election Commission stated that 226,799 voters participated, with a voter turnout of 62%.

According to Election Commission spokesperson Nita Pokhrel Aryal, the turnout may vary as data is still being collected.

She also confirmed that the election was completed peacefully.

A total of 376 candidates from 20 political parties and independents contested the by-election. There were 162 polling stations and 293 voting centers.

Previously, in the districts of Okhaldhunga and Kailali, the Nepali Congress candidates Tekraj Bhattrai and Tikakumari Chaudhary (Bhul) were elected unopposed as the heads of the District Coordination Committees, while Jagat Gharti from the (CPN) Maoist Centre was elected unopposed for the Puga North Ganga Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 in Rukum (Eastern).

The Election Commission is preparing to begin vote counting tonight, with results expected to be released within two days.