KATHMANDU: Independent mayoral candidate of Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) Balen Shah has garnered more than 40,427 votes.

Out of more than 115,651 votes counted, Balen has got 40,427 votes. He has been widening the gap with his rivals.

Similarly, the common candidate of the ruling coalition, Nepali Congress’ Sirjana Singh has risen to the second position.

Singh has got 23,548 votes as of Sunday afternoon.

Similarly, Keshav Sthapit of CPN-UML has got 22,696 votes.

So far, the counting of votes of 13 wards including ward numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 has been completed.

Similarly, the counting of votes in wards 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 23, 24, 25 and 26 is underway at the Rastriya Sabha Griha, Exhibition Road in Kathmandu.

There are 75,535 votes to be counted now.

The local elections were held on May 13.