Dang, November 30

After supporters of Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal refrained from voting, only 16.4 per cent voters cast their ballots for the post of chair at Thawang Rural Municipality-1, Rolpa, in the by-election today. The voters’ turnout was the lowest.

It is learnt that Chand’s cadres and supporters had launched a door-to-door campaign convincing locals not to cast vote in the by-election. Chand-led CPN leaders and cadres were present around the voting centres, but they did not cast their ballots.

Out of 1,274 voters, only 209 cast their ballots at Ward No1 of the rural municipality, said Chief Election Officer Ramesh Prasad Gyawali. According to Gyawali, 112 males and 97 females had cast their ballots.

The voting centre was open till 5:00pm and ballot papers were collected after 5:00 pm. “An-all party meeting decided to start counting the votes at the then Thawang VDC’s hall from tonight itself”, said Gyawali.

The ruling Nepal Communist Party’s (NCP) Janak Bahadur Budha and Nepali Congress’ Kalam Rokka have thrown their hats into the ring for the post of ward chair.