Nepal by-polls: Around 60 per cent voter turnout in three constituencies

Nepal witnessed around 60 per cent voter turnout in its three parliamentary constituencies of Tanhun-1, Chitawan-2 and Bara-2 where by-polls were held on Sunday. Journalist-turned-politician Ravi Lamichhane is contesting the election from Chitawan-2, while prominent economist Swornim Wagley and former Deputy Police Chief Ramesh Kharel are contesting from Tanhun-1 and Bara-2 constituencies respectively.

According to the Election Commission, the voter turnout in Tanahun-1 was 53 per cent.

The constituency fell vacant after Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel, who was the elected lawmaker from Tanahun-1, became the President in March.

In Chitwan-2, the voter turnout was 63 per cent.

Lamichhane, who lost his Parliament membership and Deputy Prime Minister's post due to the citizenship certificate controversy, is contesting from this constituency.

Bara-2 saw the highest voter turnout among all the constituencies at 64 per cent.

The constituency was vacant as the elected lawmaker Ram Sahay Yadav became the Vice-President last month.

Nepal's Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Thapaliya said the by-polls in all three constituencies were held in a peaceful manner.

On Thursday, authorities sealed Nepal's border points with India for 72 hours due to the by-election.

The by-elections in the three constituencies have become a prestige issue for both the ruling alliance and the fourth-largest party Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP), which has not yet withdrawn its support to the Prachanda-led coalition government, though its ministers had already quit the government.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)