Lowest turnout in Nepal elections

The Communist Party of Nepal—Maoists (CPN-M) attacked security bases and government officials as its parallel campaign to disrupt the poll.

It was reported that in eastern Dhankuta Maoists abducted at least 15 government officials after an overnight clash with the security forces that destroyed around half a dozen buildings which housed the government offices.

The low turnout and partial boycott of the poll, political analysts say, would force the King to review his strategy that may result in change of his handpicked council of ministers as they could not even field an adequate number of candidates for the polls.

The Election Commission’s office(EC) figures indicated that Kathmandu polled 10 per cent vote while the turnout in most of the 36 municipalities for a total of 618 posts was nominal except in Siraha, Kalaiya, Birgunj, Siddhartha Nagar and Malangawa.

Pro-boycott parties claimed the poor-turn out was indicated wave of support in favour of the pro-democracy alliance. No election was held in 22 municipalities due to unavailability of candidates, or contest necessary. The turnout was just over 20 percent, the Election Commissioner said.

Meanwhile, Maoists called off the week-long bandh with immediate effect cutting short the period by two days.