CHITWAN: Several late-arriving delegates staged a sit-in outside the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) general convention venue in Chitwan on Friday after they were barred from voting in the party’s office-bearers election.

The protesting delegates said they were denied their voting rights despite being accredited representatives and demanded that the Election Commission allow them to cast ballots. The commission, however, said voting was conducted according to the scheduled timetable and that only delegates who arrived before polling closed were eligible to vote.

Security was tightened after the protest, although the situation remained under control. Voting later concluded with 1,289 ballots cast, and vote counting began.

The election was held to choose the party’s vice chairpersons, general secretary, and joint general secretaries.