Voter Turnout Recorded for National Assembly Election in Koshi Province

Biratnagar. A total of 87 Provincial Assembly members and 258 local level officials cast their votes in the National Assembly member election under Koshi Province.

According to Hem Bahadur Budhathoki, Information Officer at the National Assembly Election Office, 258 local level officials and 87 Provincial Assembly members voted in the poll which began at 9 AM.

In Koshi Province, there were 92 provincial parliamentarians and 267 local body representatives eligible to vote. Among those who did not vote were Lila Kumari Rai of the Nepali Congress, Yashoda Kayastha of CPN-UML, Sabina Bajgai, Nimshari Rajbanshi, and Gopal Bahadur Bishwakarma of Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

Ambar Bahadur Bista, who became the Speaker from RPP, cast his vote, as did Prem Thamsuhang, also from RPP.

Furthermore, Information Officer Budhathoki stated that nine chiefs/deputy chiefs, chairpersons/vice-chairpersons from local levels in Koshi Province did not cast their votes.

These include Bhim Yonghang, Chairman of Yangbarak in Panchthar, elected from CPN-UML; Rabin Samra Limbu, Vice-Chairperson of Phaktalung Rural Municipality in Taplejung, elected from the Congress; Rabindra Lingden, Chairman of Haldibari, and Laxmidevi Mainali, Vice-Chairperson, elected from RPP; Radha Karki, Deputy Mayor of Bhadrapur Municipality, elected from RPP; Sita Rai, Vice-Chairperson of Aamchowk Rural Municipality in Bhojpur, elected from CPN (Maoist Centre); Ram Thapa, Mayor of Damak Municipality, elected from RPP; Nawang Lhakpa Sherpa, Vice-Chairperson of Likhu Pikey Rural Municipality in Solukhumbu, elected from Congress; and Gombu Sherpa, Chairman of Khijidemb in Okhaldhunga, elected from JSP.

Five candidates have filed nominations for three posts in Koshi Province. Sunil Thapa of the Nepali Congress, a candidate for another post, has already been elected unopposed. The remaining two positions are being contested by four candidates.

From the alliance of Congress, CPN-UML, and JSP, Som Portel (Dalit) and Roshni Meche (Woman) are candidates from CPN-UML, while Khem Sundas (Dalit) and Namita Neupane (Woman) are candidates from CPN (Maoist Centre).