The ruling Nepali Congress has demanded re-election in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-19.

Issuing a statement on Monday, the NC Chitwan District Working Committee has demanded re-election and stern action against those involved in tearing the ballot papers on Sunday night.

Vote counting in Bharatpur had been halted after the CPN (Maoist Centre) cadres reportedly tore the ballot papers last night.

The incident occurred after the Election Commission turned a blind eye despite the party’s repeated plea to the election body to make the voting counting process transparent, the statement issued by NC district president Jeevan Narayan Shrestha read.

It has been learnt that the Maoist Centre cadres had entered the vote counting venue and tear the ballot papers yesterday.

Dubbing the voting counting station a virtual battle ground, the EC put off the vote counting process.