Bypolls in Nepal held peacefully

The Election Commission of Nepal said the by-polls to the 52 vacant seats in various provincial and local bodies were held peacefully on Saturday with voter turnout above 70 per cent.

Four minor explosions were reported in Kaski district, targeting the poll centers. No one was injured in the incidents.

The by-elections began at 7 am and ended at 5 pm. The polls were held for one Federal Parliament (Kaski-2 constituency) seat, three provincial assembly seats and 48 seats of local governments.

"As many as 337 candidates, including 253 representing political parties and 84 independent, are contesting the by-elections," the election commission said.

A total of 11 political parties are in the fray for the House of Representative election, 15 for provincial assembly elections and 20 for local-level elections.

Officials said the voter turnout was above 70 per cent of the total 4,50,000 eligible voters.