KATHMANDU: Political parties have begun unveiling their candidates for the upcoming by-election in Ilam-2, set for April 27.

As of now, CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), CPN (Unified Socialist), and Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) have declared their candidates, with CPN (Maoist Center) and Nepali Congress expected to follow suit shortly.

Here are the confirmed candidates for the by-election in Ilam:

CPN-UML: Suhang Nembang, son of the late UML leader Subhash Nembang

RSP: Milan Limbu

RPP: Laxmi Gurung

CPN (US): Jeet Bahadur Rai

The by-election in Ilam has been necessitated by the passing of UML lawmaker Subhash Nembang.

In the previous general election, late Subhash Nembang secured victory in Ilam-2 with 30,020 votes.

His closest rival, Dambar Bahadur Khadka of Nepali Congress, received 29,906 votes, supported by CPN (Maoist Center) and CPN (Unified Socialist).

In the proportional representation system, the vote share for various parties in Ilam during the latest general election was as follows:

CPN-UML: 26,563 votes

Nepali Congress: 22,333 votes

CPN (Maoist Center): 5,153 votes

RSP: 4,686 votes

RPP: 1,191 votes

JSP: 906 votes

CPN (US): 586 votes

The by-election in Ilam-2 is anticipated to be closely watched, as political parties vie for victory in this crucial electoral contest.