Kathmandu, September 5 

The Election Commission today said all preparations for accepting nomination papers for the third phase of local level elections had been completed.

Addressing a press meet organised at the EC’s media centre, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhi Prasad Yadav urged all political parties and independent candidates to file nominations between 10:00am and 5:00pm tomorrow at the offices of chief returning officers and returning officers.

The third phase of local level elections is slated for September 18 in 136 local levels of eight districts of Province 2. Of the 136 local levels, there is one metropolitan city, three sub-metropolitan cities, 73 municipalities and 59 rural municipalities in Province 2.

As many as 2,166 polling stations and 578 polling centres have been set up for elections, according to the EC. Apart from security personnel, 31,500 government employees will be mobilised for the polls.

The first phase of local level elections was held on May 14 in 283 local levels of provinces 3, 4 and 6, while the second phase was held on June 28 in 334 local levels of provinces 1, 5 and 7.

The EC stated that 6,627 representatives would be elected by 2,664,950 eligible voters of Province 2 in the third phase of civic polls.

As per the constitution, parties have to field at least 50 per cent women candidates for mayoral or deputy mayoral posts in all metropolis, sub-metropolis and municipalities; at least 50 per cent women candidates should be fielded for the posts of chairperson or deputy chairperson in all rural municipalities; and at least 40 per cent women representation is a must in all wards of local levels.