DHARAN: Independent candidate Hark Sampang has inched closer towards victory in the Dharan Sub Metropolitan City after leading over the candidate of the ruling coalition.

In Dharan, which has 20 wards, the counting of votes in 17 wards has been completed.

Currently, the counting of votes in Dharan 15, 16, and 17 wards are underway.

Independent candidate Sampang, and Aindra Bikram Begha, the candidate from the alliance are, leading the counting of votes for the post of mayor and deputy mayor, respectively.

Independent candidate Sampang, who is running for mayor, has secured 13,546 votes. Kishor Rai of the NC is following him with 11, 606 votes. UML’s Manju Bhandari has received 9, 451 votes.

In the UML-held constituency, Sampang’s victory has become almost certain as he has started getting more votes than both the NC and UML candidates.

Dharan has more voters in 15 and 16 wards. The panel of UML’s Naresh Iwaram and NC’s Murari Bhattarai have taken the lead in the 15 and 16 wards, respectively. Sampang, on the other hand, is increasing the number of votes for mayor.

On behalf of the coalition, Aindra Bikram Begha of the CPN (Maoist) has secured 13,573 votes. UML’s Padam Isbo is following Begha with 12,761 votes for the post of deputy mayor.