UDAYAPUR: Counting of votes in Belka Municipality of Udayapur district has been halted since 10:30 pm on Saturday, after more ballot papers were found than that had been cast.

Total 1,747 votes were cast in ward no. 4 of the municipality but 1,751 ballot papers were found during the counting of votes. The four extra votes also did not have signature of returning officer.

Immediately, a dispute occurred among representatives of various parties present at the counting centre yesterday.

The Election Commission officers had called an all-party meeting to resolve the issue this morning, but to no avail, as political parties' representatives did not participate.

Until now, NC candidate Ashok Karki is leading the mayoral race with 2,956 votes. Karki is followed by UML's Durga Thapa with 2,389 votes.