Independent candidate and former minister Mahabir Pun did not cast his ballot in Thursday’s parliamentary elections, despite earlier promising to vote for the first time.

Pun, 71, had publicly stated during the campaign, “I have never voted before; this time I will vote for the first time.” He ultimately did not vote.

A permanent resident of ward 8 of Rapti Municipality in Chitwan, Pun is registered to vote at the polling centre at Brajhatthi Basic School in Khurkhure. “He would have had to travel to Chitwan to vote,” said his aide Chitra Tilija. “But he did not go.”

Pun registered as a voter only after becoming a minister.