Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, July 5:

The deadline for holding district level elections of the Nepali Congresss party ended today with some 70 districts reporting holding of elections. The four districts yet to report on intra-party elections are Mugu, Mustang, Jhapa and Dolakha. The party is yet to hold elections in Kathmandu district due to intra-party conflict, but sources said it will be held on July 16. Sources say election processes in 21 districts were marred by irregularities from those close to the party establishment. However, Ram Kumar Shrestha, a member of a central team looking into the entire election process, said “review will begin tomorrow.” Conceding that elections in some of the districts were marred by “political problem”, he said fresh elections would be recommended in the districts which have faced serious irregularities. In most of the districts with reported irregularities, there are disputes regarding distribution of active memberships. It is reported that such memberships were awarded to particular persons to ‘help defeat the rival camp’ in the concerned district.