Historic phase one of Nepal polls begins

Polls opened Sunday in Nepal for a historic round of provincial and parliamentary elections that many hope will bring the much-needed political stability to the Himalayan nation. Under the first round of elections, 3.19 million voters were choosing lawmakers amid tight security in 32 districts, mainly hilly and mountain regions in the northern part of the land-locked country. This is for the first time that elections for Parliament and provincial assemblies are being conducted under the new Constitution promulgated in September 2015.

A Nepali voter casts his vote at a polling station in Chautara. Pic/AFP

The voting is taking place in 37 electoral constituencies of 32 districts. Altogether 702 candidates are in the fray for 37 seats of Parliament and 74 of provincial assemblies. Out of the total 15.4 million voters, 3.19 million voters are eligible to cast their votes Sunday while the remaining ones will vote on December 7.