Nepal votes in first local election in 20 years

Nepalese were voting on Sunday in the first local-level polls in two decades, an election crucial for cementing democracy amid political turmoil in the country.

The first phase of local elections are peacefully taking place at 281 local units out of 283 in province 3, 4 and 6, said the office Election Commission.

Out of 283 local bodies where first phase elections were scheduled, the elections are being held in 281 local bodies as candidates were elected unopposed in two local units, it said. According to Election Commission spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma, around 42 per cent of total registered voters in 34 districts have cast their votes by noon.

Altogether 4.9 million voters are eligible to cast their votes in the first phase of elections.

Nearly 50,000 candidates are vying for the position of mayor, deputy mayor, ward chairman and ward member in 281 local municipalities.

Batuli Lamichhane, 115, is the oldest person to cast his vote. He cast his vote at the polling centre at Matra village in Nuwakot district, 75 km west of Kathmandu, according to the Election Commission.

Tulasi Kumari Khatri, 104, also cast her vote in Dupcheshwor village of the same district.

Nanda Bahadur Poudel, a 105-year-old citizen from Gorkha Municipality was the second oldest person to cast his vote.

The second round of polls in provinces 1, 2, 5 and 7 will be held on May 14 and June 14 respectively.

The absence of elected representatives in the local bodies for more than 15 years obstructed development in the villages and towns across the country, including the capital city Kathmandu.