The CPN-UML has crossed the half-century mark, registering wins in 64 local units, while the Nepali Congress continued to follow with 45 wins as of 10:30pm on Saturday as counting continued in Provinces 1, 5 and 7 where elections were held on Wednesday. The CPN (Maoist Centre) has emerged victorious in 20 local units so far. 

As far as one metropolis and seven sub-metropolises are concerned, the UML, which was winner in the first phase of local elections, is leading in four metropolitan cities. Wednesday’s voting was held to elect local representatives in 334 units-1 metropolis, seven sub-metropolises, 111 municipalities and 215 rural municipalities.

In Biratnagar Metropolitan City, the only metropolis in the three provinces, NC is leading. The Congress party has also maintained lead in two other metropolises. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which had a very poor showing in the first phase local polls, this time has been leading in Nepalgunj Sub-Metropolitan City. 

RPP’s Dhawal Shumsher Rana was ahead in Nepalgunj with 5,038 votes as of 10:30pm on Saturday. NC’s Suresh Kumar Kanaudiya was behind Rana with 2,964 votes. Observers say Rana could emerge victorious. He may win not because of his party but because of his individual strength, for people still remember the work he had done when he was elected the mayor of Neplagunj in 1997 local elections. He, however, was with the UML then. 

In Biratnagar, where the Congress party has consistently maintained its hold, the party’s Bhim Parajuli was ahead of UML’s Binod Dhakal.

In Butwal Sub-metropolitan City, despite the NC and Maoist Centre forging an alliance, the UML was leading during the early vote count. UML’s Shiva Prasad Subedi and NC’s Khel Raj Pandey were neck and neck in the race to win the mayoral post. 

The UML has led protests for days in Butwal against the decision of splitting Province 5 and many say this could have helped the party during elections. 

Nepal Loktantrik Forum and Sanghiya Samajbadi Forum-Nepal, the only two Madhes-based parties that took part in the elections, however, have failed to make mark even in Tarai districts. 

Of the 20 districts in Tarai, elections were held in 11, as polls in eight districts of Province 2 have been postponed until September 18 and voting in Chitwan was held in the first phase on May 14. 

Province-wise early results showed UML ahead in Provinces 1 and 5 while the Congress was leading in Province 7.