KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress has maintained the lead as vote counting in 81 local bodies have been concluded in province number 7, Election Commission said.

NC tops the list with 38 victories, UML following with 34 triumphs, CPN-Maoist Centre trailing far behind with just 8 victories and Forum Democratic complete the chart with a solitary victory in the area.

Province number 7 comprises of a Sub-Metropolitan City, 33 Municipalities, 54 Rural Municipalities.

Meanwhile, the results of the 7 local bodies are awaited.

Similarly, the Election Commission has said that the preparations are underway for holding a local level elections in Province number 2 on September 18.

Meanwhile, the EC has said that the results of the remaining local bodies would be announced in couple of days.