Rupandehi, March 9:

Rupandehi district has almost equal number of male and female voters. According to Rupandehi district election office, of the total 5,23,213 voters, number of male voters is 2,67,893 while female voters number 2,55,320.

A total of 161 candidates have filed candidacies under the FPTP in the district, said Ishwori Prasad Sharma, election officer at the district election office.

The number of women candidates is 10, he added. Not a single woman is in fray from the Nepali Congress, while CPN (UML) and CPN (Maoist) have one each.

Of the seven constituencies in the district, no 4 has the largest number of voters - 68,439, while constituency no 7 has the lowest - 60,617. Earlier, the district had only five election constituencies and this time, two more are added based on the geographical and population size.

Constituency no 1 comprises 12 VDCs - Makahar, Bodabar, Chhipagarh, Devdaha, Dhakdhai, Kerwani, Chhotaki Ramnagar, Pajarkatti, Patakhauli, Pokharbhindi, Siktahan and Gangoliya.

Constituency no 2 has Bagaha, Basantapur, Padsari, Chilhiya, Madhawaliya, Hatiphsotikara, Siddhanagar municipality, Maijahiya and Hatibanagai VDC.

Kurahiya, Anandaban, Shankarnagar, Tikuligarh, western Amuwa, Khadawa Bangai, Harnaiya, Manpakadi, Saurahaphrsatikar, Semlar and Dayanagar VDCs are in the constituency no 3. In constituency no 4 are Butwal municipality, Parroha and Motipur VDCs. Manbhateriya, Saljhandi, Sadi, Suryapura, Bisanpura, Dudhrakshya, Gajedi and Rudrapur VDCs are in constituency no. 5.

Constituency no 6 comprises Bayarghat, Bogadi, Gonaha, Roinihawa, Majhgawa, Maryadpur, Sakraunpakadi, Asuraina, Bahauli, Betkuiya, Karauta, Farena, Thumhawa Piprahawa, Raipur and the area.