KATHMANDU, Nepal — Election officials in Nepal on Friday began counting votes for national and provincial assemblies, the first time the Himalayan nation went to the polls to elect new federal units with the hope of bringing government closer to rural and remote areas. It was the first election for seven provincial assemblies established under the constitution adopted in 2015. Election officials estimated turnout at 67 per cent among the 15 million eligible voters. But bickering among political parties delayed until 2015 the implementation of the new constitution, which declared Nepal a republic. Protesters had blocked the border with India for months, cutting off fuel and other supplies in Nepal.

Source: National Post December 08, 2017 08:22 UTC