Birgunj, September 9

As the date for the third round of local level elections is just around the corner, all eyes are on Birgunj, the only metropolis of Province 2.

The main business hub of the country, the city had been the centre of the latest Madhes agitation and the border blockade.

According to Returning Officer Bishnu Subedi, 35 and 11 candidates have filed their nominations for the post of mayor and deputy mayor in the metropolis respectively.

Similarly, while 266 have filed their nominations for the post of ward chairperson, 213 and 160 candidates’ nominations are filed for the posts of Dalit member and Dalit woman member respectively.

Other 463 have got their nominations registered for open membership. A total of 1,148 candidates have thrown their hats in the metropolis that comprises 32 wards. Birgunj has 108,501 voters, including 61,666 male and 46,832 female. Three voters represent third gender.

The city is expected to see a tough battle among the candidates of three major parties and other Madhes-based parties, such as, Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, Nepal Democratic Forum and Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal.