Kathmandu, Dec 13: Voting has started since 8 am today in the election for central office-bearers and members under the ongoing 14th general convention of the Nepali Congress.

The voting will take place until 5 pm. The party Central Election Committee said 487 candidates are vying for 134 posts.

As per the Nepali Congress statute, the election is held for 134 posts of the 167-member central working committee while the party president nominates the remaining 33 members, including the treasurer.    

The Committee had published the final list of candidates on Sunday. Voting stations have been set up at three places for the convenience of voters given their large numbers, Committee member Egaraj Pokharel said.    

Arrangements have been made for 2,100 voters and 1,300 voters to cast ballots at two separate spots inside Bhrikutimandap and 1,300 voters at the City Hall. Hundreds of booths have been managed at the City Hall, Bhrikutimandap premises and the Bhrikutimandap Hall so that a large number of voters will be able to cast ballots simultaneously.   

The number of general convention representatives this time is 4,743 who will be casting votes in the election.    

The counting of votes for the post of party president would be started after the conclusion of the voting.

In case second-round voting is required for the post, it will be held immediately at the City Hall and Bhrikutimandap. The additional programmes related to the second round election would be published at the voting station itself, Committee coordinator Gopal Krishna Ghimire said.