Kathmandu: A total of 407 candidates have registered their nominations for the December 1 by-elections to fill 42 vacant local-level posts, according to the Election Commission (EC).

Out of these, 84 candidates are vying for eight key positions, including rural municipality chairperson, vice-chairperson, mayor, and deputy mayor. Among them, 35 are women, 48 are men, and one candidate identifies as "other."

For 34 vacant ward chairperson posts, 323 candidates have submitted nominations. This group includes 29 women, 293 men, and one identifying as "other," said EC spokesperson Neeta Pokharel Aryal.

Dhanusha district recorded the highest number of nominations, with 21 candidates contesting for the ward chairperson post in Ward No. 1 of Dhanushadham Municipality. In contrast, Rukum Purba and Bajhang districts saw the lowest, with three candidates each contesting ward chairperson posts in Putha Uttarganga Rural Municipality Ward No. 2 and Surma Rural Municipality Ward No. 4, respectively.

The nomination process, conducted from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, proceeded smoothly across the designated election offices. The EC has announced that complaints against nominees can be filed from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM on Monday.

The by-elections aim to fill vital leadership roles, with widespread enthusiasm marking the nomination phase, Pokharel noted.