KATHMANDU – Newly elected people’s representatives of the Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) took oath of office and secrecy today. Chief Election Officer Raju Kumar Khatiwada administered the oath to newly elected mayor Balendra Shah amidst a programme organised at the City Hall. The Office of Chief Election Officer hosted the ceremony.
After that, newly elected deputy-mayor Sunita Dangol took oath of office before the new mayor and then she administered oath to ward chairs and ward members of all the 32 wards in the metropolis.
Shah who was clad in Daura-Suruwal, a coat and a Bhadgaunle cap also read out his oath in the Nepal Bhasha. The deputy-mayor wore a hand-woven Dhaka saree and a blouse. On the occasion, 160 people’s representatives elected through the May 13 local level elections received the certificates.
Mayor Shah and deputy mayor Dangol are scheduled to assume office today itself. On the occasion, chief returning officer Khatiwada urged the people’s representatives to serve people by respecting people’s mandate.
No Dalit female candidates fielded their candidacy for positions in KMC ward-24 and 25. The total 56 candidates from various political parties and independent ones registered their candidacy for the KMC mayor and 35 for deputy mayor.
Out of a total of 32 wards, the Nepali Congress won 19 and the UML 12. Similarly, the CPN (Unified Socialist) bagged one. Of the total 300,242 voters in the KMC, over 190,900 votes were cast. Seven thousands six hundred eighty two votes were invalid, according to the election office.