The Election Commission (EC) has put the preliminary voter turnout at 65 per cent in the first phase of parliamentary and provincial election held in 32 mountainous and hilly districts on Sunday.

The voting began at 7 am and ended officially at 5 pm.

According to the election body, Bajura district recorded the highest 80 per cent voter turnout.

The EC it will conduct re-election in two voting centres in Rukum district.

The election that began from 7 am was scheduled to officially end at 5 pm. It is, however, learnt that the voting will continue in the places where voters have already queued up and waiting for their turn.

In the districts where voting has completed, preparations are being made to seal the ballot boxes and dispatch them to the respective district headquarters.