KATHMANDU: Independent mayoral candidate Balen Shah appears to have a strong election lead in the race for Kathmandu Metropolitan City.

Balen has been leading his nearest competitor Keshav Sthapit of CPN-UML by getting 9,378 votes.

Sthapit, meanwhile, has got 4,948 votes as of Tuesday morning.

Nepali Congress candidate Sirjana Singh has garnered 4,333 votes so far.

Similarly, in the deputy mayoral race, CPN-UML’s Sunita Dangol is leading with 7,830 votes.

Vote counting of KMC ward no 3,4,5,6, 31 and 32 is being conducted in the City Hall at Exhibition Road.