Nepal PM thanks countrymen on successful completion of local polls

Kathmandu, Jun 29 (PTI) Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba today thanked his countrymen for the successful completion of the first local-level polls in two decades as the counting of votes began across the Himalayan nation.

The second round of elections were conducted in all the 35 districts in Provinces 1, 5 and 7 yesterday and the turnout was recorded at 73.69 per cent by the Election Commission. The local polls were earlier scheduled for two phases. The first phase was held on May 14 in Provinces 3, 4 and 6, but the second round had to be postponed twice.

A third phase has been declared on September 18 in Province 2 in a bid to placate dissenting parties, including Madhesis, by then. Deuba said the election – held for the first time in 20 years – has given an “opportunity to consolidate and institutionalise the achievements of decades-long democratic struggles”, he said. “The successful implementation of the Constitution will help ensure good governance, social justice, economic prosperity and institutionalise democratic norms and culture in the society,” Deuba, also the president of Nepali Congress, said in a statement.

The counting of votes begun today at 168 centres out of the 334 units where polling was held yesterday, according to Election Commission officials. The Commission said the voter turnout in the second phase was 73.69 per cent.