Dr Yadav becomes Nepal's first president

Dr Yadav becomes Nepal's first president

Nepali Congress (NC) candidate Dr Ram Baran Yadav has become the first president of republic Nepal, securing a comfortable majority in the presidential run-off held today. This is yet to be announced officially.

Yadav bagged 308 votes while his rival Ram Raja Prasad Singh, who was backed by the Maoists, ended up with 282 votes, sources at the election office of the Constituent Assembly Secretariat said.

Yadav was backed by CPN (UML), Madhesi Janadhikar Forum, CPN (ML), Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, CPN (United), Rastriya Janamorcha, Rastriya Janashakti Party and a few other fringe parties.

Altogether 590 votes were cast in today's run-off poll.

The results of the presidential election will be announced at the CA meeting at 4:00 pm today.

The re-election was conducted as none of the candidates reached the magic number, 298, in Saturday's election. However, Madhesi Janadhikar Forum candaite Parmananda Jha was elected vice president in the previous voting.

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress cadres are carrying out victory rally in front of the International Convention Centre in Naya Baneshwor.