Bhojpur/Phidim, November 26

A bomb exploded at the main gate of Panchakanya Secondary School election centre when voters were casting their ballots at Chyangre in Pauwadung Rural Municipality-3, in Bhojpur today.

A total of 88 ballots were cast at the time the explosive went off at around 10:00am. Chief District Officer and Coordinator of District Security Committee Phadindra Dahal said they had continued with the election by mobilising an additional force after the incident.

Election proceedings were halted for two hours after a bomb exploded at Bhagawati Secondary School at Aatharai Tribeni Rural Municipality at around 10:00 am in Taplejung.

Meanwhile, a bomb was recovered near Kummayak Rural Municipality-based Siddha Secondary School polling centre. A bomb disposal team of the Nepali Army defused the explosive, according to Chief District Officer Laxmi Devi Humagain.

Clashes erupted among voters of the democratic and leftist alliances at Deurali Primary School polling centre in Sindhupalchowk. Security personnel fired in the air to bring the situation under control. At least three persons sustained injuries in the clash. Normalcy returned after security was beefed up, as per District Election Office, Sindhupalchowk.

Likewise, security forces opened fire in the open after activists of the left alliance started casting ballots by capturing the booth at Baiteshwor Rural Municipality-7-based Marbu polling centre in Dolakha, as per Chief District Officer Laxman Bikram Thapa.  Voters loyal to the left alliance captured the Gaurishankr Rural Municipality-based Suri polling centre and chased away Nepali Congress-aligned voters. It was the polling centre of left alliance parliamentary election candidate Parbat Gurung.

Meanwhile, police held seven persons after they tried to capture Eklebari Ward Office polling centrer at Tamakoshi Rural Municipality-1 in the district. The youths are said to have been called by the left alliance to manipulate the polling booth. As per DSP Rameshwor Karki, the boys were coming from beyond Dolakha. He said police would take necessary action against them.