By-election underway from 7 am today

Kathmandu : The voting for by-election to elect people’s representatives in various 52 vacant posts began from 7:00 am today.

Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has appealed to all the voters to exercise their rights without any fear because reliable security arrangement has put in place. An integrated security arrangement with strong coordination among all security agencies has been ensured to hold election in free and fair atmosphere.

A total of 337 candidates including 21 for the post of House of Representatives member, 43 for State Assembly member and 273 for various positions at the local level are in the fray with 454,114 voters eligible to vote in the by-election. Voting is taking place from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm in 246 voting centres with 537 polling booths in 37 districts of the country, according to Election Commission.

The EC has directed all voting officers to make appropriate arrangement of voting to the persons with disability, pregnant, senior citizens and sick voters.

The voting is being held for a member of the House of Representatives in Kaski constituency-2, while for State Assembly members in Bhaktapur, Baglung and Dang. Similarly, the election is also for the mayor at Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City.

Falgunanda rural municipality of Panchthar, Makalu rural municipality of Sankhuwasabha and Pipara rural municipality of Mahottari and Kharpunath rural municipality of Humla are also holding the by-election.

CEC in Bhaktapur

Meanwhile,  Chief Election Commissioner Thapaliya observed the voting that is taking place at Duwakot polling centre in ward no.2 of Changunarayan municipality, Bhaktapur.

On the occasion, Chief Returning Officer Jagat Narayan Pradhan apprised CEC Thapaliya of the preparations made for the by-election.

Heads of Diplomatic missions based in Kathmandu are also here to observe the by-election.

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