Women make up 39 per cent of the total 49,337 candidates in the first phase local-level election scheduled for May 14.

Spokesman for the Election Commission, Surya Prasad Sharma said, 19,332 women are vying for the office of the Chief of the Rural Municipality or Mayor of Metropolitan City, Sub-metropolitan City and Municipality; Deputy Chief of Rural Municipality or Deputy Mayor of Metropolitan City, Sub-metropolitan City and Municipality, and Ward Chair and Member in these local units.

Out of the 1,880 candidates for the post of Chief or Mayor, 157 are women (8.35 per cent). Similarly, out of 1,384 candidates for the post of Deputy Chief and Deputy Mayor, 1,127 are women (81.43 per cent).

According to the Election Commission, 95.83 percent (10 thousand 296) of the candidates vying for the post of Ward Chair are men while 4.17 percent or 448 are women. RSS