KATHMANDU: A Kathmandu-based high-level election observation team on Tuesday left for Chitwan to launch an investigation into the incident of tearing up ballot papers with votes in Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

Cadres of Young Communist League, youth wing of CPN Maoist Centre have been accused of tearing the ballot papers with votes during the counting of votes.

The team comprises experts from the related field and representatives from the National Election Observation Committee (NEOC) and Sankalpa, Women's Alliance for Peace, Justice, and Democracy.

Vice President of NEOC Charan Prasain, General Secretary  Gopal Krishna Siwakoti, Chiranjibi Khanal, noted investigative journalist Hasta Gurung and Executive Director of Sankalpa Chanda Rai Shrestha are part of the team .

Meanwhile, the NEOC has requested the respective District Administration Office, District Election Office, Chief District Officer, security agencies, political parties, poll contestants and local people to help with the investigation.