Kathmandu, December 2
Results for 38 out of 44 positions contested in the local-level by-elections have been announced, with six results still pending. So far till 12 pm Monday, the Nepali Congress has won 18 seats, CPN-UML has secured 8, and the CPN (Maoist Centre) has taken 7.
The Congress, despite its wins, has lost seats compared to the 27 it held previously. Even if it secures the remaining six results, its total tally will reach only 24—three less than the number it had after the 2022 elections.
Meanwhile, the UML and Maoist Centre have increased their representation. Of the 44 positions contested, 15 were vacated by these parties—8 by the Maoist Centre and 7 by the UML. In the current by-elections, UML has reclaimed 8 positions, and the Maoist Centre has secured 7.
Detailed Results
- Morang’s Gramthan Rural Municipality: The Maoist Centre emerged victorious with Namo Narayan Majhi securing 6,969 votes, defeating Congress’s Balram Sardar Tharu, who garnered 5,333 votes. The UML candidate, Tulsi Ram Bishwas, came third with 4,159 votes. In the 2022 elections, the Maoist Centre had finished third in this constituency.
- Nalagad Deputy Mayor, Jajarkot: The Maoist Centre’s Devka Lamichhane won with 4,272 votes, followed by Congress’s Indra Chand Singh with 3,147 votes. The UML’s Sunita Bohara secured 2,542 votes. In 2022, this seat was won through a coalition between Congress and the Maoist Centre.
- Mahabu Rural Municipality, Dailekh: UML candidate Jung Bahadur Shahi clinched the chairman’s position with 3,127 votes, overtaking Congress’s Jhalk Bahadur Bhandari, who received 2,675 votes. The Maoist Centre’s candidate trailed with 842 votes. This seat was previously held by Congress.
- Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality, Bajura: UML’s Sulochana Kumari Bhandari Budha won the vice-chairperson’s position, defeating Congress’s Pultisara Shahi with 1,740 votes to 1,474. This seat was vacated following the death of Congress’s Maina Devi Joshi.
Smaller parties gain
The Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) has added two seats, despite only one vacancy arising from its previously held positions. Similarly, the Unified Socialist Party and Nepal Workers and Peasants Party each gained one seat.
As the final results are awaited, the by-elections have marked a reshuffle in local-level political representation, with major parties adjusting to gains and losses across constituencies.
