KATHMANDU: Fewer than 30 percent of delegates voted in the office bearers election at the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) general convention, with only 1,289 ballots cast out of an estimated 4,311 convention representatives.

Turnout was significantly lower than the central committee election, where 2,959 delegates voted. The party extended polling by one hour, from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM, because of low participation, but officials said no voters were waiting in line during the extended period.

Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane, who was elected unopposed, did not vote in the office bearers’ election despite being in Chitwan, though he had cast a ballot in the earlier central committee election. Some leaders said many delegates may have left early because the convention lasted longer than expected.