A Belgian national of Nepali origin is contesting city council elections in Bruges, Belgium, which will be held next month.

Ramesh Kandel, originally from Malekhu in Dhading, is a candidate from the Vooruit Party, which translates as forward in English. The party is among the prominent socialist parties in the European nation.

Kandel, 48, who shifted to Belgium in 1999, has been in politics since the late 2000s. Among his party’s 46 candidates for the city council, he is ranked 15th. The ranking is taken as a priority list, with the one ranked first being the mayoral candidate. Pablo Annys is the mayoral candidate from the party. The elections are slated for October 13.

“Unlike others, the Vooruit Party gives due priority and respect to the immigrants,” said Kandel, explaining the reasons for choosing the party. “If I get elected, I will work towards improving the status of Nepali and other immigrants.”

Around 1,500 Nepalis reside in Bruges, of which 720 are voters, according to Kandel.

Bruges is the capital of West Flanders in northwest Belgium. The voting is proportional, but the voters can vote for individual candidates if they wish.

Though six parties are in the race, the competition is between the Flemish Liberals and Democrats, Vooruit, and Christian parties. The mayor and other council members have six-year terms. The Vooruit had continuously won the elections for around two decades before it lost to the Christian Party in the previous elections.