The Election Commission has directed officials not to postpone voting without seeking approval from the commission.

The direction follows after voting was postponed at some polling stations even after a minor dispute.

Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said that officers have been told not to postpone voting as the voting time has been fixed till 5pm. He added a prior approval from the commission was necessary for postponement.

Voting has been postponed in over dozen of polling stations across the country including seven in Bajura.

Navaraj Awasthi, chief of the District Election Office in Bajura, said the polling has been postponed at a polling station situated at Budhiganga Municipality-8, Budhinanda Municipality wards 5 and 7, Swamikartik Rural Municipality wards 3 and 4, Khaptad Chhededaha Rural Municipality-1 and Triveni Municipality-7.

Police have fired warning shots in the air at a few polling stations to take the situation under control.

Election officer Rabindra Shah deployed at Budhiganga-8 said they are under the security of the Armed Police Force and Nepal Army personnel following the clash.