CPN-UML contender Suhang Nembang is making significant strides in narrowing the vote margin with Nepali Congress contender Dambar Bahadur Khadka during the ballot tally for the Ilam-2 by-election.
In the scrutiny of votes across the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd precincts of Phakphokthum Rural Municipality, Nembang has markedly closed the gap with Congress candidate Khadka to 28 votes.
As 4,150 votes were tallied, Khadka of the Congress secured 1,658 votes, while Nembang of the UML garnered 1,630 votes. Initially, Khadka had a lead of over 80 votes in the first and second precincts.
During the preceding local elections, the Congress clinched victories in the 1st and 2nd precincts of Phakphokthum, whereas the UML candidate claimed the position of ward president in the 3rd precinct.
Furthermore, Dakendra Thegim, an independent contender in the third position, amassed 430 votes, while Milan Limbu, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party and positioned fourth, secured 308 votes.
