Voting is underway for members under the ongoing unity general convention of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP).

According to party leader Rajaram Shrestha, the voting will take place until 5 pm today and the vote counting will start immediately after the voting process is complete. The results would be available by the evening as the voting is done using electronic voting machines.

Newly-elected party chairman Kamal Thapa initiated the voting by casting vote for the first time.

The voting is taking place for 98 members or 60 percent of the total 163-member central committee. The total number of candidates is 363. As per the party statute, the party chairman will nominate the remaining 40 percent of the members based on province, geography and expertise.

There are 33 seats for women members including 16 in the open category and 17 under the reservation category. Under the reservation category, five seats are allocated to the Madhesi, six seats to the indigenous nationalities, two seats each to the oppressed, Karnali and the backward region and one each to the Muslim and the Tharu communities.

Sixty five seats have been allocated towards male category including 40 in the open and 25 in the reservation. The seats allocated under the reserved category include seven from the Madhesi community, nine from the indigenous nationalities, two from the oppressed classes, two from the Muslim community, two each from the Karnali and the backward region, one from the Tharu community and two from the overseas Nepali residents.

The 40 percent of the members would be nominated and 27 office-bearers of the party will be selected after the general convention is over. RSS