KATHMANDU: Voting did not begin at two polling booths in Darchula today after local residents refused to cast ballots, while a ward in Okhaldhunga also witnessed a complete boycott.

In Apihimal Rural Municipality 3, Darchula District, polling at Dudhila Secondary School remained stalled as no voters turned up. A similar boycott affected Gaurishankar Basic School in Nauged Rural Municipality 1. Locals have been running a no-vote campaign since mid-January, demanding administrative reforms and ward restructuring. Despite last-minute talks led by senior provincial officials, residents said assurances were too late to influence their decision. The two centers have 602 and 346 registered voters, respectively.

In Okhaldhunga, voters in Manebhanjyang Rural Municipality 7 also abstained, citing unmet demands for a provincial hospital. Officials confirmed that none of the 701 registered voters had cast ballots by 10:00 AM.