Ashika Tamang, a candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party from Dhading constituency 1, has denied withdrawing her candidacy, dismissing claims circulating on social media.

Speaking to the Post, Tamang said she had not pulled out of the race and alleged that a fake email had been sent to the Election Commission in her name while discussions were ongoing over her eligibility to contest the election. “I have not withdrawn. Someone sent a fake email to the commission in my name. I am going there to inquire and will file a complaint,” she said.

Tamang, who is married to a German national, said allegations that she holds a foreign identity card are false. “I do not have a foreign identity card. I have a Nepali passport and Nepali citizenship,” she said.

Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said that, except for Ishwar Bharati, no other candidate from Dhading-1 has withdrawn their candidacy. “So far, only Bharti appears on the withdrawal list from this constituency,” he told the Post. According to the commission, 49 candidates nationwide had withdrawn their nominations by Friday afternoon.