A hearing on the Bharatpur vote count row, sub judice at the Supreme Court, was not held on Sunday citing time constraints.

Counting of votes of the first phase of local level elections in Bharatpur Metropolis Ward-19 was halted after 90 ballots were torn allegedly by the CPN (Maoist Centre) representatives on the night of May 28. The EC had, on June 3, decided to conduct re-election in the ward.

A writ petition was filed at the apex court by Gunja Man BK, a ward member candidate for Bharatpur-19, and Tulsiram Pandey, an advocate, against the EC decision to conduct re-election, responding to which the SC had stayed the EC decision on June 5.

The bench had also asked the authorities concerned to maintain a status quo on the decision until Sunday. 

It is learnt that a bench of Justices Bishwombher Prasad Shrestha and Prakash Man Singh Raut did not find time for the case.

SC Spokesperson Mahendra Nath Upadhyay said the case was on the business list. The petitioners have demanded scrapping of the EC decision to conduct re-election and resumption of vote counting.

The next hearing is scheduled for Tuesday. The stay order will also be in effect for two more days.