KATHMANDU: By-elections are being held today, December 1, to fill 41 vacant positions in local levels across Nepal.
Voting will begin at 7 am and continue until 5 pm at the designated polling centers within the respective local levels, as confirmed by the Election Commission (EC) of Nepal.
The by-election will fill the positions of one municipality mayor, one deputy mayor, two rural municipality chairpersons, four vice-chairpersons, and 33 ward chairpersons.
Neeta Pokharel Aryal, the spokesperson for the Election Commission and Joint-Secretary, confirmed that all necessary preparations have been made for the by-election.
She also mentioned that special arrangements have been made to prioritize voting for senior citizens, people with disabilities, expecting and new mothers, and the sick.
A total of 376 candidates from 20 different political parties, along with several independent candidates, are in the running for these positions.
It is important to note that Tekraj Bhattarai from the Nepal Congress has been elected unopposed as the Chairperson of the District Coordination Committee in Okhaldhunga.
Similarly, Tika Kumari Chaudhary (Bhul), also from Nepal Congress, has been elected as the Chairperson of the same office in Kailali district.
Additionally, in Rukum Purba, Jagat Gharti from the CPN (Maoist Centre) has been elected as the Chairperson of Ward No. 2 in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality.
According to the Election Commission, the by-elections are being held for various posts, including the mayor of Kirtipur Municipality, the deputy mayor of Nalgad Municipality in Jajarkot, and chairpersons of Gramthan Rural Municipality in Morang, Mahabu Rural Municipality in Dailekh, Gaurishankar Rural Municipality in Dolakha, Sarkegad Rural Municipality in Humla, and Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality in Bajura.
By-elections are also taking place for the position of ward chairpersons in several municipalities and rural municipalities across the country.
These include Sirijanga Rural Municipality-3 in Taplejung, Kankai Municipality-6 in Jhapa, Laligurans Municipality-8 in Tehrathum, Gadhi Rural Municipality-6 in Sunsari, Molung Rural Municipality-5 in Okhaldhunga, and Triyuga Municipality in Udayapur.
Additionally, by-elections will be held in Belka Municipality-9, Dakneshwari Municipality-1 and 4 in Saptari, and Dhanushadham Municipality-1 in Dhanusha.
Other areas holding by-elections for ward chair positions include Ramgopalpur Municipality-2 in Mahottari, Ishnath Municipality-7 in Rautahat, Rajpur Municipality-6, and Gadhimai Municipality-8 in Rautahat.
The by-elections will also take place for various other ward chair positions in Kirtipur Municipality in Kathmandu, Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Kakani Rural Municipality in Nuwakot, Hetauda Municipality in Makawanpur, Gorkha Municipality in Gorkha, Musikot Municipality in Gulmi, and Runtigadhi Rural Municipality in Rolpa, among others.
Additionally, by-elections will be held for ward chair positions in Dullu Municipality in Dailekh, Kushe Rural Municipality in Jajarkot, Tilgufa Municipality in Kalikot, Tripura Sundari Municipality in Dolpa, Surma Rural Municipality in Bajhang, Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality in Doti, Duhu Rural Municipality in Darchula, and Bhimduttanagar Municipality in Kanchanpur.
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