KATHMANDU: As many as 19,332 women are contesting the May 14 elections in 383 local levels across 34 districts, the Election commission of Nepal said.

The percentage of the women candidates is 39.184.

The EC said 49,337 candidates, including 30,005 men, are on the fray for positions in the municipalities and rural municipalities.

Women's candidacy for the positions of mayor or chair in local levels, however, is titular.

In the male dominant elections, a total of 1,723 men and 157 women are contesting for the mayoral and chairman posts in 383 local levels, the Election Commission's records show.

Thanks to a provision that obligates the political parties to field at least one woman candidate for the top two posts,  the number of women candidates for deputy mayor or deputy chair of rural municipality on the other hand, is promising. A total number 1,127 women (81.43 per cent) are on the race against 257 male candidates.

There are 10,296 men  (95.83 per cent) and 448 women (4.17 per cent) candidates on the race for ward chiefs.