Tuesday, November 19, 2013

2013 Nepal Constituent Assembly Election Candidates By Individual Constituency Seats


2013 Constituent Assembly Election Candidates

By Individual Constituency Seats


Compiled by Keith D. Leslie
Indus Institute
November 2013

Nepal Election Commission:

In the 2008 election, the Nepal Election Commission, a constitutional body mandated for holding national and local election, registered 17.6 million voters. But for the 2013 election, the EC registered only 12.1 million voters, a decline of 5.4 million.  According to the Carter Center, only 12.5 million of the approximately 16 million eligible Nepali voters registered for the polls.

EC officials said the number of voters declined due to strict measures during the registration of the voters. They also maintain that the number decreased as thousands of youths have gone abroad for the employment.  But observers say as the country's population increases every year, these reasons are not sufficient for the sharp decline. The country witnessed a population growth by 3.3 million between the 2011 census and the 2001 census.
The EC registered voters on the basis of citizenship certificates and brought new electoral roll with photo and biometric avoiding any charge of duplication. However many people did not register due to disillusionment as the parties failed to provide either a constitution or good governance, as well as a lack of appreciation of the benefits of exercising their citizenship rights.
Among the 122 political parties registered for this November 19th 2013 election, there are 6,218 candidates running in the First Past the Post (FPTP) election system for 240 seats and 10,409 candidates in the proportional representation (PR) election category for 335 seats.  There will be 18,438 polling centers in all 75 districts of the nation. 
The EC has permitted each FPTP candidate to spend up to one million rupees (=/- $10,000) and each PR candidate to spend a maximum of 75,000 =/ (+/- $750).  However, observers believe that major party FPTP candidates are spending significantly more than these amounts to win.
EC Spokesperson Bir Bahadur Rai has publicly noted that it will take one week to announce the results of the FPTP and three weeks for the PR electoral system.
Banda: Despite assurances of security, the ongoing Baidya Maoist transportation shutdown has prevented a large number of voters residing in the Valley from going to their villages. While short-route passengers are leaving, long-distance travelers are reluctant to leave out of security fears. Transport entrepreneurs said the number of vehicles leaving is 1/3 of the usual number.
Parties have offered free transport to voters reluctant to leave amid security fears. Parties are sending vehicles to the Capital as the shutdown has made it necessary for parties to provide free transportation home to voters.  According to the Census 2011, the Valley has 2.5 million people with an estimated one million people from outside districts residing here.
Constituencies:  Among the total 240 national constituencies, 116 are in the Tarai.
Dalits:  In the 2013 CA election, Dalits have been nominated by political parties for 6% of total FPTP seats. Dalits constitute 15-20% of the population. 
In the previous 2008 CA, there were 49 Dalit MPs (8%). Of the 197 women in the CA, 21 were Dalit women (11%). For the first time in history, Dalits were elected through the FPTP system (all CPN-M), including 2 women. 19 Dalit women were elected through the PR system.
Far Western Region:  Of the 21 constituencies in the Far West Region, the UCPN-M won 16 constituencies during the last CA election.
Gender: The Interim Constitution guarantees 33% women representation in the Constituent Assembly.  In 2013, of the 6,343 First Past the Post (FPTP) candidates, only 672 are women (10.5%).  Only 12% of candidates of the three major parties UCPN-M, NC and UML are women.
In the 2008 CA, out of the 601 total CA members, 197 were women: 163 nominated under the PR, 30 elected under FPTP, and 4 nominated by the GoN.
Kathmandu Valley:  There are 539 candidates contesting from the Valley’s 15 electoral constituencies. The number of voters, however, has declined to 881,872 in 2013 from 992,423 in 2008.

There are a total of 513 polling locations in the Valley – Kathmandu has 311, Lalitpur 127 and Bhaktapur 75.
The NC gained 7 of the 15 seats in 2008 and is vying for at least as many in Kathmandu 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 9, as well as in Lalitpur 1 and Bhaktapur 2. The UCPN-M won 4 seats in Kathmandu and made a clean sweep in Lalitpur in 2008 -- but appears less confident in 2013. The UML was wiped out from the Valley four years ago, but will try to stage a comeback this year.  The NWPP could lose its bastion since 1990 in Bhaktapur.  In contrast, Madhesi parties have fielded token candidates in Kathmandu who will find it extremely hard to do well in the Valley.
Limbus: According to the 2011 census, Panchthar has the highest number of Limbus (80,000), followed by Ilam (69,000) and Jhapa (54,000).  Panchthar and Taplejung have the highest proportions of Limbu population -- about 42%. Southern Taplejung, adjoining villages in northern Panchthar, and parts of western Ilam (Ilam 2) are the hotbed of anti-poll activities. Of Eastern Nepal’s 3.5 million people, nearly 11% are Limbus. 
Madhesi Parties:  The four Madhesi parties that participated in the 2008 CA elections were the Upendra Yadav-led Madhesi People´s Right Forum-Nepal (MPRF-N), Sadbhawana Party (SP), Tarai Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) and Nepal Sadbhawana Party (Aanandi Devi).  Now there are 34 Madhesi parties contesting, most are factions of the four earlier Madhesi parties. In 2008, Madhesi parties were the fourth largest force with 83 seats in the 601-member CA.
Political analysts believe that even though inflation, corruption and poor governance issues have been raised by political parties, the voter’s caste and identity often prevails in the Terai.

New Political Parties: There are 122 political parties competing in 2013, some quite new.
The Akhanda Nepal Party (ANP), Rastriya Swabhiman Party (RSP) and Federal Socialist Party Nepal (FSPN) are among the new parties that may make an impact in 2013.  They have each fielded candidates in many of the constituencies of western Nepal while FSP is also fielding many candidates in Eastern Nepal, as well, where they hope to win some seats under the FPTP.
The ANP (representing Chhetris) and RSP (representing hill Brahmins) support ‘Akhanda’ (undivided) Western region and are against ethnicity-based federalism, whereas the FSPN, representing Janajatis, stands for ethnic identity-based federalism. Most of the FSP leaders resigned from UML.  The FSPN may win some Janajati dominated constituencies of the UCPN (M), NC and UML as many Janajatis affiliated to these three major parties have switched to the FSPN, which is active in the East and West.
Even if some of these new parties do not win FPTP seats, they will limit the NC and UML’s prospects where the parties could have marginal wins. In the PR system, these parties will likely win multiple seats which would have a direct bearing on the # of PR seats for the major parties.
PR Lists: The Election Commission scrapped 302 candidates under the PR category for not meeting the criteria.  Following these decisions, there are now 10,709 candidates from 122 political parties who will contest the PR electoral system. Of the total PR candidates, 50.6% are male and 49.4% female, i.e., 5,418 male candidates and 5,291 women candidates.
The EC annulled 148 PR candidates who did not meet the minimum age requirement of 25 years to be a CA member. Similarly, 76 PR candidates lost their candidacies because their names were not in the new electoral rolls and 48 were disqualified as their names figured in the closed list of two different political parties. Likewise, the EC removed 19 PR candidates who were in the closed lists of two different political parties under both the FPTP and PR electoral systems and 4 candidates for continuing to hold public office.  According to the EC, most of the PR candidates whose candidacies annulled were women candidates.

Six candidates of different parties withdrew their candidacies. With the removal of 3 candidates, the number of UCPN-M candidates is now 332, with 166 male and an equal number of female candidates. The EC removed two candidates of UML, so the party now has 168 male and 165 women candidates. With disqualification of its one candidate, the number of NC PR candidates now stands at 334, with candidacy divided equally among both genders.

Former deputy PM Bijay Kumar Gachchhadar MPRF-D lost candidacies of 64 PR candidates not in line with the existing electoral laws. According to the EC, out of the 80 candidates not in the electoral rolls, 59 represented MPRF-D. The EC disqualified candidacies of 5 PR candidates of RPP Nepal. There are 167 males and 163 women candidates of the pro-monarchy party.


Constituency by Constituency

Arghakhanchi 1:  NC Dr. Ram Bahadur BC and UCPN-M Top Bahadur Rayamajhi are competing.
Arghakhanchi 2:  There have been a high number of EC complaints lodged against UML candidate Dr. Duman Singh Thapa for excessive expenditure.  Such complaints have been noted elsewhere, as well.
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Baglung:  In the 2008 election, Nepali Congress, CPN-UML and the anti-federalist party Rastriya Janamorcha (RJ), each won one seat.  Analysts say there will be a tough contest among the three major parties and RJ.  Rival parties admit that the RJ will get a large vote under the PR list.

Baglung 1: UCPN-M Krishna KC, UML Hira KC, NC Hari Bahadur Khadka and RJ Tirtha Singh Thapa Chhetri are set for a tough battle.  UCPN-M, it is said, has an edge as RJ is not as strong as it used to be.  UML won this seat in 2008.

Baglung 2: RJ Chairman Chitra Bahadur KC has not lost here since 1991; however, he is not running for the FPTP in 2013. Instead RJ has fielded Rajendra Dhungana who will compete against UCPN-M Lila Bahadur Thapa Magar, UML Surya Pathak and NC Prakash Sharma Poudel. In 2008, KC won with 12,524 votes, while Mani Bhadra Sharma NC got 11,975 votes.  With KC not contesting, the UML has fielded its first candidate in 22 years. This has been an RJ stronghold, but the party’s influence may be declining.

Baglung 3: NC secured victory in 2008.  In 2013 NC Gyan Kumari Chhantyal, UML Shanti Adhikari, RJ Dharma Bahadur Kunwar are competing. The constituency may go to either NC or UCPN-M.



Baitadi 1:  Four-time ex-PM Lokendra Bahadur Chand, 73, is contesting from both constituencies in his home district under FPTF representing RPP.  Chand was in the last CA through PR.  He was PM from 1983-1986, briefly April 1990, briefly in 1997 and from October 2002-June 2003.

In 2008, the UCPN-M won both constituencies. In 2013, the likely contenders are: Narendra Bahadur Kunwar, UCPN-M, Lokraj Awasthi, NC, and Damodar Bhandari, CPN-UML

Baitadi 2: Renu Chand, UCPN-M, Nar Bahadur Chand, NC, and Mahadev Bhatt, UML, are contesting with Chand, RPP.

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Bajhang:  There is a close competition among the UCPN-M, NC and the UML. 
UML Karna Thapa says although the election is about a new constitution, the villagers, instead, spoke about development issues while he was canvassing. NC Man Bahadur Rawal says roads are his priority as they lead to all-round development. For UCPN-M Sahadev Bogati roads are also her priority as the Bajhang district headquarters Martadi is not linked to a road network yet.

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Banke 1:

Banke 2: Dinesh Chandra Yadav, UML, and Bidhya Sharma, Rastriya Madhes Samajwadi Party, are contesting from this constituency.

Banke 3:  NC President Sushil Koirala is competing from his home district against Damodar Acharya from UCPN-M and former chairman of the Nepalganj Chamber of Commerce, Bijaya Dhital from UML, Dhaval Shumsher Rana former Nepalganj mayor and RPP candidate, as well as Pashupati Dahal Mishra of TMLP.  This will be a fascinating race to observe.

Sushil Koirala has won twice and lost twice in his political career.  He was defeated in 2008 from Banke by Saradev Prasad Ojha of MJF and only managed to come in third position at that time.

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Bara: In 2008 among the six Bara constituencies, the Madhesi parties won 3, UCPN (Maoist) won 2 and NC 1.  The Madhesi parties came in second in two of the other constituencies.

Bara 1: Saroj Kumar Yadav of Sadhbhawana was elected in 2008 with 8,182 votes. He obtained 304 more votes than Ram Babu Prasad Yadav of MJF/N.  The UCPN (M) had 7,513 votes.

Bara 2: The MJF/N candidate lost the election by 407 votes in 2008.

Bara 3: Pramod Prasad Gupta, MJF/N leader, was elected from here in 2008.

Bara 4: Jitendra Sonal, General Secretary of TMDP, won last time and is running again in 2013.

Bara 5: Umakanta Chaudhary of NC won in 2008.

Bara 6: Jaya Ram Dahal of UCPN (M) won in 2008.


Bardiya 1:  Bamdev Gautam, UML senior leader, is competing against two Tharu candidates in this heavily Tharu populated district, Bhuvan Kumar Tharu from UCPN-M and Bhuwaneshwor Chaudhary from NC.

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Bhaktapur 1: NWPP leader Narayan Man Bijukchhe is running from his traditional stronghold against UCPN-Maoist Sanu Suwal, UML Raju Napit and NC Krishna Lal Bhandel.  All the main candidates come from the Newari community. 

Bhaktapur 2: NC Rameshwor Prasad Dhungel is contesting against NWPP Sunil Prajapati, UML Mahesh Basnet and UCPN-M Devi Dhakal.

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Bhojpur: In the two constituencies, 28 candidates are competing from 17 parties -- there were only 8 parties running in 2008. 14 parties have filed in Constituency 1 and 13 in Constituency 2.  Among the 17 parties, only 4 are competitive, UCPN-M, NC, UML and FSP (Sanghiya Samajbadi).   Although UCPN-M won in both constituencies in 2008, this time the party will struggle as FSP will offer a strong rivalry.  The Limbuwan and CPN-M poll boycott may also be influential.

The district has some 91,000 voters. Constituency 1 has 32 VDCs with 46,000 voters and Constituency 2 has 45,000 voters in 31 VDCs.

Bhojpur 1:  UCPN-M has fielded Khemraj Nepali Arun, NC Dharma Raj Rai, CPN-UML Kripashur Sherpa and FSP Ajambar Kangmang Rai.

Bhojpur 2:  Except for UCPN-M Sudan Rai and UML Sherdhan Rai, the others are new candidates, including NC Balkrishna Thapa and FSP Ash Kumar Rai. Sudan Rai UCPN-M won in 2008 and is confident of his victory again. NC has never won in the district.  
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Chitwan 1:

Chitwan 2:

Chitwan 3:

Chitwan 4:  NC President Sushil Koirala is competing against UCPN-M Chitra Bahadur Shrestha, who won here last time, UML Dil Kumari Parbati Rawal, a woman candidate, and an NC insurgent-independent Bikash Koirala.  Koirala is the likely winner here, but it is too close to call.


Dadeldhura: Ex-PM Sher Bahadur Deuba has won every election from here after 1990 and is most likely to win again. Deuba became Home Minister after the general election in 1991. Then he was reelected in the 1994, 1999 and 2008 elections. Deuba has also served as a Prime Minister three times, infamously dismissed by King Gyenendra in 2005 as ‘incompetent’.  He is competing in his favored home constituency against UML Tara Prasad Joshi and UPCN-M Khagaraj Bhatta.  Deuba will win easily here.

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Dang 1:  NC has fielded Parbati DC Chaudhari where Lila Ram Khanal filed his candidacy as a rebel NC candidate. Rumors say that NC leader Khum Bahadur Khadka, who once dominated Dang politics, has been supporting the rebel Khanal. The UML has fielded Rewati Raman Sharma who garnered 4,692 votes and stood third in 2008 when Maoist Indra Jeet Tharu was elected with 18,093 votes. Now Indra Jeet has joined the CPN-M and is active in poll boycotting. People believe NC rebel candidate Khanal will benefit the UCPN-M. Yogendra Tharu claimed MPRF-D will win as the Tharu and Madhesis will vote for a Tharuhat province.

Dang 2:  Shanta Chaudhary, ex-kamaiya (bonded laborer), who won in 2008 from UML is running again in 2013.

Dang 3: UML Laxman Aryal, NC Raju Khanal, and UCPN-M Nirmal Acharya are in the fray from where UCPN leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara was elected with some 20.000 votes in 2008.

Dang 4: There is an ego clash between two UML party secretaries - Shankar Pokarel and Yubaraj Gyawali. Pokharel, who was fielded under the PR in 2008, is now an FPTP candidate while Gyawali, who was an FPTP candidate in the last CA, is now a PR candidate. Gyawali alleges Pokharel betrayed him in the last CA, resulting in party’s loss. NC Budhi Raj Bhandari and UCPN-M Ramji Chaudhary are expected to give a tough competition to Pokharel.

Dang 5: There will be a tripartite competition among the NC, UML and UCPN-M.  In 2008 the Maoist candidate Sushma Sharma won with 17,061 votes. This year UCPN-M has fielded Dhiraj Serpali while Uttam Kumar Wali is the UML candidate. The NC candidate Dipak Giri is also running again from the same constituency.  The constituency has many Tharu voters. 

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Dhading 1: The Maoists won this seat in 2008, although RPP is trying to upstage UCPN-M this year. 

RPP Buddhiman Tamang candidate won elections the last 25 years, except in 2008 when he did not contest. 

UML is said to be weak due to the presence of Federal Socialist Party.

Dhading 2: 
The Maoists won this seat in 2008.

Dhading 3: This will be a battle between 2008 winner UCPN-M Shalikram Jamkattel and UML Rajendra Pande. NC has fielded Buddha Laxmi Lama to try to appeal to this Tamang-dominated constituency.

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Dhanusha 1: UCPN-M and NC appear stronger than the Madhes parties or UML. UCPN-M Ramchandra Jha, who was a UML politburo member until he very publicly quit over federalism issues, is running.  He and NC Dinesh Prasaila will still have serious competition from the UML Ratna Prasad Goit and independent candidate Jog Kumar Barbariya Yadav from UPCN-M.  Jha’s defection to UCPN-M will cost UML votes.

Dhanusha 2:  A triangular competition is expected among NC, UML and UCPN-M.

Dhanusha 3: NC Bimalendra Nidhi has an uphill task to maintain his famous father’s winning streak in this constituency.

Dhanusha 4: Candidates rather than parties will affect poll results here.  NC Ram Saroj Yadav, TMDP Brikhes Chandra Lal Karna and Sadbhavana Sanjaya Kumar Sah are competing.  Sah won in 2008 from the MJF-N party.

Dhanusha 5: TMDP Anita Yadav is said to have an edge over others. This is where President Ram Baran Yadav won in 2008. However, UML Raghubir Mahaseth successfully claimed this constituency in the by-election.


Dhankuta 1:  FSP Rakam Chemjong, UCPN-M Hemraj Bhandari, NC Ajit Narayan Singh Thapa and UML Tikaram Chemjong are all competing.

Dhankuta 2:  Sunil Bahadur Thapa, RPP, son of former PM Surya Bahadur Thapa, UML Rajendra Rai and NC Aananda Santoshi Rai are contenders. 




Dolakha-1 and 2: Competition I expected among the major three parties. The UCPN-M, analysts believe, may lose both of the constituencies with NC having a stronger chance in 2013.
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Dolpa:  Dhan Bahadur Budha, UML, is running in the only constituency in the district.

Due to the size of the district, some sites require three days of travel to reach the more isolated polling locations.  There are 15 polling centers in the six most remote VDCs.  In Dho VDC there are only nine voters.  There are 14,860 registered voters throughout the district.  The EC plans to use helicopters to bring voting material to the six most remote VDCs in Upper Dolpa.

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Gorkha 1: Baburam Bhattarai of UCPN-M is competing in his native district from a new constituency than in the 2008 election when he won with over 46,000 votes in Gorkha 2 (more than seven times his closest rival).  His opponents this time include Kiran Babu Shrestha from NC and Ram Sharan Basnet of UML.  Shrestha is a very popular local candidate.  Parvati Thapa who won here in 2008 is now in the Baidya Maoist party. There could be a surprise here for Dr. Bhattarai in 2013.

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Humla:  Due to snow in mid-November, the more remote VDCs are almost unreachable except by helicopter.  Election officials and materials, therefore, have been stranded in these locations.

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Ilam 1: Jhala Nath Khanal has won 3 out of 4 elections here since 1991 and is running for the fifth time.  He won in 2008 with 17,655 votes.  This year he is against Himalaya Karmacharya of the NC, Yuba Kumar Poudel of the UCPN-M, Devendra Rai of the FSP-N, and 74-year Bhakta Kumari Gadal, a Dalit from RPP. 

The constituency is dominated by Janajtis, therefore the Federal Socialist Party Nepal has a strong presence in Ilam. Many UML cadres defected to FSP blaming Khanal for not supporting identity federalism. There are 59,814 registered voters here. 

Ilam 2: Most parties have fielded Janajati candidates. Along with UML Subhas Nembang, who won in 2008 with 17,748 votes, there are 8 Janajati candidates running in 2013.  It is said that those in favor of identity-based federalism oppose Nembang, so there could be a surprise.

Ilam 3: the UML has fielded Tek Bahadur Rai. His rivals are Keshav Thapa of NC, Dhirendra Sharma of UCPN-M and Dhal Bahadur Gurung of FSP-N.  NC’s Kul Bahadur Guurng was elected previously with 16,286 votes.  UML’s Dharma Prasad Upreti finished second with 14,695 votes.   

In total, there are 39 candidates from 17 parties contesting from the two constituencies of Ilam.

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Jhapa 1: UML Rabin Koirala and NC Bishwa Prakash Sharma are contesting.

Jhapa 2:

Jhapa 3: 

Jhapa 4:  UCPN (M) Purushottam Chudel is contesting.

Jhapa 5:

Jhapa 6:

Jhapa 7:  UML leader KP Sharma Oli is running from his home district where he lost to a UCPN-M district-level leader in 2008.  Since then, Oli has been continuously interacting with voters, which is a marked departure from 2008. Gopal Kiranti of UCPN-M and NC local leader Suresh Kumar Yongya Subba are his major rivals. Kiranti, who won from Solukhumbu last time, has been projected as an outsider in the district. NC Subba is likely to be the major contender for Oli.  UCPN-M Bishwadeep Lingden, who defeated Oli last time, has joined the FSP.
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Jumla: There are 47,445 voters registered in the single constituency of Jumla.  Many voters from the Sinja Valley have already departed due to the cold and snow of November.

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Kailali 1:

Kailali 2:

Kailali 3:

Kailali 4: Nabaraj Acharya, the candidate of Nepal Aama Samuha, has joined the Maoists.

Kailali 5:  The competition is between Lekh Raj Bhatta, ex-CA MP from UCPN-M, and Dirgha Raj Bhat from NC. Last time Bhatta defeated Bhat by only 1,200 votes. This time Bhat seems stronger as Bhatta has been criticized by the Akhand Suder Paschim (United Far West) Movement for supporting a Tharuhat federal state and also challenged by the Baidhya group.

Kailali 6:  In Dhangadhi, the district center of Kailali, the competition is among UML Maheshwor Pathak, NC Sher Bahadur Dueba and CPN-M Lila Kumari Bhandari, a woman.  Deuba is contesting from Kailali for the first time while the UCPN-M won this seat in 2008.  Pathak has a clean image, is a local and was a former MP (2054). Maoist Bhandari won the last election but this time she suffers from the party’s internal conflict.  Altogether 30 candidates are running for this seat. It’s likely that most of the vote will be divided among the major political parties with the rest shared among MJF-D, FDNF (Tharuhat), RPP-N and Akhand.

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Kanchanpur 1:

Kanchanpur 2:

Kanchanpur 3:

Kanchanpur 4: NC Ramesh Lekhak, UML Urbadatta Panta, UCPN (M) Mohan Giri and Dharmaraj Joshi of the RPP have filed their candidacies.

Of the total 46,000 voters in 13 wards of Mahendranagar Municipality, Dodhara and Chadani VDCs have around 14,000 voters between them.

Kapilvastu 1: TMDP candidate, Sarafat Kha, died of heart attack recently.  As per the CA Member Election Directive 2070, the election must be deferred if any FPTP candidate of that constituency dies within 15 days prior to the due poll date.
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Kaski 1:
Kaski 2: 
Kaski 3:  UML Rabindra Adhikari,

UCPN-M Ramji Prasad Baral (Jeevan), NC
Soviet Bahadur Adhikari and RPP-N
Prem Bahadur Malla are the main candidates.
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Kathmandu 1:  NC Vice-president Prakash Man Singh, son of the late NC leader Ganesh Man Singh, is running again from a relatively safe NC constituency.  His rivals are UCPN-M Renu Dahal, daughter of UCPN-M chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and UML Bidhya Neupane.  Renu is a little known youth leader of UCPN-M. Prakash Man won in 2008 with 14,318 votes against 6,789 for UML leader Pradeep Nepal.  Ram Man Shrestha of UCPN-M had 4,836 votes at that time. 

Kathmandu 2:  UML Madhav Kumar Nepal is contesting again where he lost to a little known Maoist candidate in 2008.   The former PM is locked in a fight with UCPN-M’s Lila Mani Pokhrel, who joined the UCPN-M in 2009, and NC’s female candidate Pratima Gautam.   Notwithstanding losing the CA election in two places in 2008, Madhav Nepal became PM in 2009.

Kathmandu 3: NC Chakra Bahadur Thakuri, UML Rameshwor Phuyal and UCPN-M Ganesh Prasad Regmi are key contenders.  RPP-Nepal has fielded Nepal’s famous female singer Meera Rana.

Kathmandu 4:  NC youth leader Gagan Thapa and NC Independent Suprabha Ghimire are running against UCPN-M ex-PLA leader Nanda Bahadur Pun and UML’s Nirmal Kuikel.  Thapa and Pun are projected as potential future leaders of their parties considering their rapid political rise and contributions to their party, as well as national politics.  Many commentators say they should not have been running from the same constituency as both can make valuable contributions to the nation.

Independent Suprabha Ghimire, who won this constituency in 2008, resigned from the NC after losing the nomination to Gagan Thapa and opened a new party ‘Sanghiya Samajbadi Loktantrik Sangathan’ (Socialist Federal Democratic Party).  It is said that top NC leaders like Prakash Man Singh and Ram Chandra Poudyal, who are less comfortable with Thapa, are supporting Ghimire.

Kathmandu 5: Candidates include NC Narhari Acharya, UML Ishwor Pokhrel, UCPN-M Mahendra Shrestha, TMDP Radha Krishna Karki, Rajbir Dangol of the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party and Ujjwal Thapa, an independent, among the 10 people contesting.  A tough fight is expected between Narhari Acharya and Ishwor Pokharel.  Shrestha is also considered strong locally. 

In 2008 the number of voters were 62,936 while total votes cast were 38,984.  In that election, NC Acharya won with 13,245 votes, while UML Pokhrel had 9,120, followed by UCPN-M Maharjan 8,089, RPP-Nepal Kamal Thapa with 3,925 and CPN-ML Khatri with 1,022.

This constituency includes Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) wards 2, 3, 4 and 5 plus five semi-rural VDCs, Tokha Saraswati, Tokha Chandeshwori, Dhapasi, Khadka Bhadrakali and Budanilkantha. The PM´s official residence comes under the constituency. There are 55,377 registered voters in 2013.  It is considered less developed than other Kathmandu constituencies.

Kathmandu 6:  Himal Sharma of UCPN-M, Bhimsen Das Pradhan of NC, Yogesh Bhattarai of UML, Keshav Sthapit of FSPN and Nim Bahadur Budhamagar of Rastriya Janamorcha are contesting.       

Sharma, from Baglung, is chair of the UCPN-M student wing and Bhattarai, from Taplejung, a UML central committee member.  Three candidates -- Sharma, Bhattarai and Sthapit -- were once with CPN-ML led by Bamdev Gautam. Bhattarai was head of the student wing, while Sharma was treasurer. Later, before the party reunified with the CPN-UML, Sharma joined the underground Maoist party before the reunification between CPN-UML and CPN-ML.

In the 2008 polls Hitman Shakya of the CPN-M won with 10,768 votes but he is now with the Baidya Maoists.  Bhimsendas Pradhan NC earned 10,058 votes and Yogesh Bhattarai UML 9,089.

The constituency includes: Sangla, Jhor Mahankal, Kavresthali, Dharmasthali, Phutung, Manamaiju, Gongabu, plus KMC wards 29, 30, 31.

Kathmandu 7:  All candidates of major parties are from the local Newar community. They include: Hsila Yami of UCPN-M, Ranbir Manandhar of UML, Pramila Devi Singh Dongol of NC, Bharat Bdr Malakar of TMDP, Lalitman Shrestha of MJF-N and Yogendra Das Shrestha of MJF-D.  Nine other political parties, including three Madhes parties have fielded candidates. However, the competition will likely remain confined to UCPN-M, UML and NC candidates

In 2008, Hsila Yami got 12,276 votes while her rival Rajendra Shrestha UML secured 8,815 votes.

This constituency includes: Paknajole, Nayabajar, Samakhushi, Chhetrapati, Dhobichour, Yatkhabahal, Ashon, Jyatha, Indrachowk, Bangemudha Ichangu Narayan, Goldhunga, Jitpurfedi, as well as KMC wards 16, 17, 18, 28.

Kathmandu 8: NC Nabindra Raj Joshi confronts UML Jiwan Ram Shrestha and UCPN-M Mukti Narayan Pradhan. Joshi was elected in 2008.

Kathmandu 9: in 2008 Dhyan Govinda Ranjit NC won with 209 votes against Maila Lama Tamang UCPN-M. UML Krishna Gopal Shrestha finished third and lost with 309 votes. Maila Lama Tamang is not contesting this time as he joined the Baidhya-led CPN-Maoist.



In 2013 the candidates include Devendra Poudel, originally from Baglung and past advisor of Babu Ram Bhattarai, of the UCPN-M, NC Dhyan Govinda Ranjit and UML Krishna Gopal Shrestha.  They are the main candidates. Others include Rastriya Janamorcha, Lal Bdr Thapa, FSP Radha Krishna Maharjan, Akhanda Nepal Bhanuraj Pandey, TMDP Shant Maharjan, MJF-N Rajiv Yadav, RPP-Nepal Devendra Pradhan, MJF-D Kavindra Rijal, RPP Gyaneshwor Bhattarai and NWPP Guna Das Maharjan.

The Constituency has 8 VDCs: Bhim Dhunga, Dahachowk, Ramkot, Balambu, Syuchatar, Naikap Naya, Naikap Purano and Thinthana, and four wards (22, 21, 12 and 14).  Total voters is 57,957.

Kathmandu 10:  In 2008, Pushpa Kamal Dahal CPN-M received 23,277 votes, Rajendra Kumar KC of NC received 12,154, while UML’s Sanu Kumar Maharjan garnered 8,568 votes. 


Puspha Kamal Dahal is running again while the NC is represented by local leader Rajendra Kumar (Rajan) KC, who was defeated by Dahal last time. The UML has selected Surendra Manandhar. Former Maoist combatant Padam Kunwar, who is famous for having slapped Dahal, has launched a campaign, too. Kunwar is accompanied by former husband of student leader Bina Magar, Shankar Adhikary, and has been working hard to defeat Dahal. 
Dahal will be hard to defeat in this constituency, but likely to receive fewer votes than in 2008.


This constituency includes 12 VDCs including Machhegaun, Satungal, Matatirtha, Badbhanjyang, Thankot and Mahadevsthan in the west and Chalnakhel, Sheshnarayan, Setidevi, Chhaimale, Dakshinkali, Talkududechaur at the southern belt besides Kirtipur Municipality.

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Kavre 1: The Maoists won here in 2008.

Kavre 2:  The MJF-D is trying its hand with its candidate Ganesh Lama, while NC and UML seek to wrest control from the UCPN-M. 

The UCPN-M has repeated its previous candidate Akkal Bahadur Thing while NC has fielded Shiva Prasad Humagain and UML offered Ramhari Subedi. 
UML won this constituency in 2008 and will try to keep it safe.

Kavre 3: A triangular competition is expected among the big three parties.. 


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Khotang 1: The NC is expected to give the UCPN-M a run for its money this year.  UCPN-M has fielded new faces in Constituencies 1 and 2 — Durga Jayanti Rai and Devan Kiranti — instead of Ram Kumar Rai and Samita Karki who won the 2008 election.

Khotang 2: The major contenders will be NC and UML.  Subhas Pokharel is running from NC.

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Lalitpur 1:  NC youth wing leader Udaya Shamsher Rana is contesting where he lost in 2008 with a narrow margin of 1,318 votes. The other candidates include: Hari Dahal UCPN-M, Madhusudhan Poudel UML and Keshar Bahadur Bista RPP.  Barsha Man Pun, UCPN-M leader, won here in 2008 but is contesting from Morang in 2013.

Lalitpur 2: The defection of Raj Kaji Maharjan to the CPN-M has weakened the UCPN-M chances of repeating their 2008 victory here in 2013.

Lalitpur: 3: UML leader Raghuji Panta, NC Madan Bahadur Amatya and UCPN-M Dinesh Maharjan are contesting.
  Also, Bishnulal Gurung, who goes by the name of Jack, is a candidate of the United People"s Front of Nepal (UPFN).  Standing only 3.4 feet, he is probably the shortest candidate in the CA election – but still unlikely to win.

Pampha Bhusal won here in 2008.  She has also joined with the poll boycotting CPN-M and not contesting in 2013.

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Lamjung 1:

Lamjung 2:  The day before the election, the EC scrapped the candidacy of FSP (Sanghiya Ganatantrik Samajwadi) Gam Bahadur Tamang.

Tamang was disqualified because he is a GoN employee at the Manang District Post Office.  Tamang, however, insists that he has only been a contract staff, therefore, eligible to compete in the election.


Mahottari 1: Rastriya Madhes Samajbadi Party Chairman Sharat Singh Bhandari will try to defeat UCPN-M Giriraj Mani Pokhrel.

Mahottari 2: MJF-N Harinarayan Yadav will compete against NC Kiran Yadav, the niece of President Ram Baran Yadav. Kiran Yadav has a good chance, analysts say.


Makwanpur 2: Narayan Kaji Shrestha of UCPN-M is competing against Jayaram Lamichhane of NC and Subas Chandra Thakuri of UML.  CPN-M Prem Bahadur Pulami won this constituency in 2008 with nearly 17,000 votes.  Narayan Kaji’s former Janamorcha Nepal came in third that year with only 3,000 votes, but now united with the UCPN-M Shrestha has a chance of winning this year.  However, both Lamichhane and Thakuri are known for the development initiatives they have brought to the area, so they will put up a good fight against the UCPN-M leader.
Makwanpur 4: Chepangs here have asked candidates to provide them with land ownership certificates as they have been residing in the forest and along rivers historically without such documents.  Chepangs are a majority in 4 of the 12 VDCs in this constituency. The constituency of 39,801 registered voters has a total of 12,000 Chepang voters. NFIN has classified Chepangs as a highly marginalized group. 
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Manang:  Tripal P. Gurung is running from the RPP party. 
This is a single constituency with the smallest voting population in any constituency.  There are only 6,538 people living in Manang while 4,795 are voters.  Because of the late date of the election, many inhabitants have already left the district for warmer climes.
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Morang 1:  A likely battle between NC Amod Prasad Upadhyay and UML Rishikesh Pokharel.

Morang 2: The competition is between UCPN-M Kumar Paudel and UML Chandi Prasad Rai. NC Shekhar Chandra Thapa and FSP Bhuraj Rai will seek to challenge UCPN-M and UML.

Morang 3: UCPN-M Khem Bhattarai, NC Dilip Gachhadar and UML Guru Baral are competing.

Morang 4: UCPN-M Shiva Kumar Mandal will fight against NC Gayananda Mandal.

Morang 5: MJF-Nepal Chairman and ex-Foreign Minister Upendra Yadav is campaigning against NC Amrit Kumar Aryal. UCPN-M Baleswor Kamat too can pose a hurdle to Yadav in this constituency. Ram Lal Sah is running from UML.

Morang 6: NC Mahesh Acharya, MJF-N Mutujaya Jha and MJF-D Bhakti Majhi are in the fray.  Mahesh Acharya is a former Minister of Finance under earlier Congress governments in the 90s.

Morang 7:  The main contenders are two heavyweights NC leader Dr Shekhar Koirala and MJF-D Chairman Bijay Kumar Gachhadar.   UML has pitted Yashoda Adhikari and Gopal Chhetri from UCPN-M against these two powerful party leaders.  This will be an interesting election to watch.

Morang 8: The contest is between the major three parties.

Morang 9:  MJF-D Chairman Bijay Gachhadar is contesting the election from Sunsari 3, as well.


Mugu:  This remote Karnali Region district has 23,821 total registered voters.  There are 52 polling stations, but some will be badly affected by the cold and snow in November.  Some villagers have already departed for warmer parts of Nepal before the election.

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Mustang: There is asingle constituency district, too.  NC Romi Gauchan Thakali, UML Chandra Mohan Gauchan and UCPN-M Motung Gurung are competing. Gurung, a former UML leader, joined the UCPN-M days before EC’s deadline.  NC Gauchan also faces a rebel candidacy.

Upper Mustang includes Chosher, Shonhup, Lomanthang, Charang and Gharmi VDCs at an altitude of 4200 m. Upper Mustang has 6,942 voters and six polling stations, but not more than 1,000 potential voters remain in the villages. Most have moved to avoid frigid weather. Almost 60% have moved to Kathmandu, Pokhara, Myagdi, Butwal and Bhairahawa.

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Myagdi: UCPN-M Lokendra Bista is running against NC Khambir Garbuja, UML Nawaraj SharmaandRPP Bhim Prasad Gauchan, a former minister. Though the constituency went to the Maoists in 2008, this time, they may face more difficulty due to the split in the party. A Federal Socialist Party (FSP) candidate Yam Kishan is also competing.

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Nawalparasi:  Many of the votes cast in the previous polls were invalid due to a lack of voter education. Of the total 273,671 votes cast in the previous polls, 141,100 votes were invalid.  

The NC candidate Dev Karan Kalwar was defeated by Vice-chair of Tarai Madhes Democratic Party, Hridesh Tripati.

Nawalparasi 1: 

Nawalparasi 2: There are 21 candidates contesting polls under the FPTP system, including Som Bahadur Tamang, Federal Republican Party Nepal.

The Constituency comprises 14 VDCs and has over 52,000 registered voters.

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Nuwakot 1:  This will be an interesting election to observe as UCPN-M Bimala Subedi defeated NC heavyweight Arjun Narsingh KC by 7,597 votes in 2008. Both are running again, along with RPP Prakash Chandra Lohani and UML Keshav Pande.  RPP’s Lohani won here regularly between 2048 to 2056 BS.  In 2008, Lohani was a PR candidate.



The constituency comprises 20 VDCs and has 55,212 registered voters.

Nuwakot 2: In 2008 NC Ram Sharan Mahat piped CPN-M Hit Bahadur Tamang by 104 votes. This time both parties have fielded the same candidates and a tough competition is awaited.  Mahat, a former Finance Minister, is very influential in this constituency, but the UCPN-M Hit Man Tamang will appeal to the large Tamang community living here.

The constituency comprises 23 VDCs and has over 50,000 registered voters.

Nuwakot 3:  In 2008, UCPN-M Post Bdr Bogati defeated NC Bahadur Singh Lama by 1,640 votes. In 2013 the NC has fielded Lama again while UML has nominated district chairperson Narayan Prasad Khatiwada.  Bogati may have less chance because of the large Tamang population.

The constituency comprises Bidur municipality, 18 VDCs and has 49,356 registered voters.

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Okhaldhunga:  Odds are against the UCPN-M, so either NC or UML is likely to emerge victorious.


Parbat 1: NC Arjun Kumar Joshi, UML Ganesh Timsina, UCPN-M Netra Adhikari and Rastriya Janamorcha Govind Poudel are competing. In 2008, NC claimed this constituency.

Parbat 2:  UCPN-M is the likely beneficiary from disputes in NC and UML over ticket distribution.  UCPN-M Rajkaji Gurung, former CA member, is contesting against NC Nawaraj Gurung and UML Bikash Lamsal.  All three candidates are locals.  36 year-old Rajkaji is popular among the youth.

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Pyuthan 1:  The Rastriya Janamorcha (RJ), an anti-federalism party, has had a stronghold in this district in recent years.  Bamdev Gautam, UML leader, is competing against UCPN-M Nawaraj Subedi and NC Hukum Bahadur Bista.

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Ramechhap:  Competition will be among the top three parties with the UCPN-M, which won in 2008, likely to lag behind this time.


Rasuwa:  There is only VDC in the constituency, Lantang.  Most of the locals live in Kathmandu or warmer places. Due to lack of direct road links, helicopters are the only transport in the district. “We couldn´t risk going to the VDC [due to the Maoist threats] but we will surely receive maximum votes,” said NC candidate Lama Karpu Tamang.

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Rauthat 1:  UML leader Madhav Kumar Nepal is contesting from his home district again even though he lost in 2008 to a less familiar Maoist candidate from Rauthat 6.  This time he is competing from Rauthat 1.  Anil Kumar Jha, chairman of Federal Sadbhavana Party, and Ajay Gupta of Madhesi People´s Rights Forum-Democratic are likely to seriously challenge MK Nepal.  UCPN-M has nominated Rajkishor Yadav and NC has selected Santatal Sah.

Rautahat 2:

Rautahat 3: UCPN-M leader Prabhu Sha and MJF-M leader Ram Kishore Prasad Yadav are vying from this constituency.

Rauthat 4:

Rautahat 5:

Rautahat 6:


Rolpa 1: In 2008, Jayapuri Gharti defeated her closest rival from NC by nearly 31,000 votes.  In 2013, UCPN (Maoist) leader Krishna Bahadur Mahara is contesting. Mahara is facing a tough election battle as his main rival is NC Lekhnath Acharya, who has good relations at the local level. Balaram Ghartimagar from RPP is also contesting.  Given that this was the Moaist base area, the Mohan Baidya Maoists are intent on disrupting the election as much as possible here.

Rolpa 2:  Onsari Gharti Magar of the UCPN (M), Bhim Kumari Budha of NC and Kumar Dasaudi of the CPN-UML are contesting.  Former lawmakers from the district, Jayapuri Gharti and Santosh Budha, have joined the CPN-Maoist.  The Mohan Baidya Maoists have chased Onsari and her supporters out of the district when they tried to campaign.

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Rukum 1:  Young Communist League Chairman Ganesh Man Pun is running from here.

Rukum 2:  In 2008, the UCPN’s Janardan Sharma gained three times more votes than his nearest opponent. Sharma received 30,270 votes against NC’s Prem Prakash Oli’s 9,250. In 2013 Sharma is again running, but his opponents appear stronger, including former NC state minister Gopalji Jung Shah and Thagendra Prakash Puri, Rukum UML district chair.

Rupandehi 1: 
Rupandehi 2:  Devi Psd Chaudhary MJF-D is running and given a reasonable chance against the main three parties.
Rupandehi 3:
Rupandehi 4:  UCPN-M party leader Baburam Bhattarai is contesting where in the 2008 UML Secretary Bishnu Poudel won. UML has nominated Poudel again in 2013.  NC candidate Surya Prasad Pradhan has contributed to Butwal’s development and was elected in the last parliamentary election.  Butwal is the gateway to Lumbini, birthplace of the Buddha.  This will be a close election and could go any way according to observers.
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Sankhuwasabha 1: 
Sankhuwasabha 2:  UCPN-M Rajendra Kiranti is running.
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Saptari 1:
Saptari 2:  Birbal Biraji Yadav, a septuagenarian, who contested in 1958/59 for the NC, is once again in the fray.  Now 79, Biraji was not even 25 when he lost to Durgananda Chaudhary of Gorkha Parishad by 107 votes. This time he is again representing the NC. His election rivals are Shailendra Chandra Jha of UML and Ashok Kumar Mandal of UCPN-M.
MRPF-N Jaya Prakah Prasad Gupta won in 2008 and became a government minister.  Locals say Gupta did not bother to return once he won the election. Fed up with leaders who only visit during elections, some voters say they will sell their votes this time.
The area is extremely remote.  People have to cross four rivers to reach Gobargada VDC located 12 km southwest of Rajbiraj.  The VDC had 1,600 voters in the 2008 election, however, there are only 550 voters now.  Most women do not have citizenship certificates.  It is said the isolated VDC is used by Nepali and Indian criminals as a safe haven.
Saptari 3:
Saptari 4:
Saptari 5:
Saptari 6:  Last time winner Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav of MJF-D will be challenged by his own brother Aniruddha Kumar of MJF-N.  In 2008 MJF-Nepal Renu Kumari Yadav won from Saptari because Yadav candidates from rival parties supported her.
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Sarlahi 1:  UML Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal will compete against NC Sushila Karki and UCPN-M Shambhu Lal Shrestha.  Khanal is running from Ilam 1, too.  Rival parties describe Khanal as an outsider so his loyalists have offered him land in the district. In an effort to win the hearts and minds of Madhesi voters, Khanal wore Madhesi attires during his recent 9 day stay in the Tarai.

Shambhu Lal Shrestha of UCPN-M and Ramchandra Kusahawa of Tarai Madhes Sadbhavana Party are Khanal’s major rivals.  As this is a stronghold of the UML, Khanal is likely to win.

Sarlahi 2: 
Sarlahi 3:  TMDP won last time, but one of the major parties could make inroads in 2013.
Sarlahi 4:  Rajendra Mahato of SP will compete.
Sarlahi 5:
Sarlahi 6: Tarai Madhes Democratic Party Chair Mahanth Thakur is competing with NC candidate Amresh Kumar Singh along with UCPN-M Namdalal Ray Yadav, UML female candidate Mamta Devi Rajput and Sadbhawana Party candidate Fakira Mahato.
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Sinhuli 1:
Sindhuli 2:
Sindhuli 3:
Sindhuli 4:  UCPN-M might be able to wrest a seat in here. In other constituencies, competition is expected again among three major parties.
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Sindhupalchowk 1:
Sindhupalchowk 2: NC and UML are said to be ahead here with locals saying that the UCPN-M might lose in all three constituencies. 
UCPN-M spokesperson Agni Sapkota is running against UML Subas Karmacharya and NC Bhupendra Bahadur Thapa. 

Sapkota faces allegations that he failed to do anything for the constituency despite winning in 2008.

Sindhupalchowk 3: Former chairman of the Federation of Nepali Journalists Tara Nath Dahal is running for NC against UML Sher Bahadur Tamang, UCPN-M Bil Bahadur Rayamajhi and RPP Chairman Pashupati SJB Rana.
The election may be as close as in 2008 when CPN-M Dawa Tamang defeated UML Sher Bahadur Tamang by 100 votes. RPP Chairman Pashupati SJB Rana, who considers this his party bastion, came third.  Rana was defeated for the first time in his 40-year political career. 
Dawa Tamang is widely supported in Ruwa, Bhotang, Gunsa and Thangpalkot VDCs so it is believed Mohan Baidya holds 2-3,000 votes as Tamang is now a CPN-M central member.

Siraha:  In 2008 MJF-N won in 5 of 6 constituencies, but it may face difficulty this time given the split(s) in the MJF over the last few years. Some say that none of the parties formed after splitting from MJF-N stand a chance to win this time, which will benefit NC and UML.
It has been reported that days before the election only one of the six constituencies has received all of the required voting materials due to the Baidya Maoist transport bandh (which has been more effective in rural areas) and the risks of IED explosives along the roads.
Siraha 1:
Siraha 2:
Siraha 3: 
Siraha 4:  In the post-1990 elections, Rajdev Goit and Hem Narayan Yadav from different parties helped each other win parliamentary election because they belonged to the same Yadav clan.
Siraha 5:  UCPN-M Pushpa Kamal Dahal is contesting from here. Lilanath Shrestha, a local UML candidate and local NGO president (who was funded by Save the Children US), is said to be ahead in race, which has shocked UCPN-M.  NC has nominated Rampari Kumari Yadav, a woman candidate. The Matrika Yadav Maoist party and the CPN-M are working hard to defeat Dahal.  Although there are some alternative reports that UML is not seriously campaigning so UCPN-M Dahal would secure an easier win here.  There may be a surprise here.
Siraha 6:
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Solukhumbu: FSP’s active presence may inconvenience the major three parties. In this district with a single constituency, NC Bal Bahadur KC’s chances are considered the likeliest. KC was defeated by UCPN-M Gopal Kiranti in 2008, but Kiranti has since moved to Jhapa.
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Sunsari 1:
Sunsari 2:
Sunsari 3:  MJF-D Chairperson Bijay Gachchhadar has won comfortably from here in three general elections in 1992, 1994 and 1999.  In 2008, Gachchhadar contesting from the MPRF-Nepal secured a resounding victory with 23,769 votes. NC Agam Lal Chaudhary received 10,806 votes. In 2013 he is running against UML Ms. Bhagawati Chaudhary, who runs an NGO and is respected locally.  UCPN-M has nominated Hardar Ali Miya and NC has nominated Goma Kumari Parajuli (Ansari), a woman candidate. Gachchhedar, however, is expected to win handily.
Sunsari 4: 
Sunsari 5:  MJF-N Chairperson Upendra Yadav is running from here, but may struggle to win with MJF-D Gafar Ansari running against him, along with UCPN-M Nanda Kumar Dutt, UML Jagadish Prasad Kusiyat and NC Jamil Akhtar Miya.  This is too close to call before the election.
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Tanahu 1: 
Tanahu 2:  Former NC, now independent, candidate, Purna Bahadur Gurung is contesting against established NC leader Ram Chandra Poudyal.  Poudyal won in the three elections after 1991 and secured an easy victory in the 2008 CA election. NC has regarded the southern district, inhabited by Gurung and Magar people, as its vote bank but the rebel NC candidate Gurung hails from the indigenous community and may snatch a victory here.
Given the greater importance given to identity politics, the UML, FSP and UCPN-M have also fielded indigenous candidates. The UML candidate is Krishna Kumar Shrestha. FSP has fielded Harihar Singh Gurung, while the UCPN-M candidate is Om Raj Ale. Dipak Bhattarai, who served as Poudel’s PA for a decade, is a candidate from the MPRF-D.

Party insiders say Poudyal faces problems within his own party as NC leaders, including former State Minister for Home Affairs Govinda Raj Joshi and former State Minister Amar Raj Kaini, are covertly supporting the rebel candidate. Gurung alleges that Poudyal denied new leaders an opportunity to grow as he has always fielded himself in the elections after 1991.

Paudel won in 1994 with 22,639 votes, then won in 1999 with a total of 24,446 votes and won again in 2008, with 18,970 votes.   This time around it won’t be as easy.
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Terhathum:  Terhathum has only one constituency. There will be tough fight between the top three parties, as well as a considerable impact by the Limbuwan poll boycott.
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Udayapur 1: NC leader Narayan Khadka defeated UCPN-M Rajan Kiranti in 2008. Khadka and Kiranti are competing against each other again in 2013.  Khadka is most likely favored to win.
Udayapur 2:  RPP is quite influential here, but may not be able to claim a FPTP victory.
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