Voting was briefly halted at the Jabdi polling centre in Balara Municipality-4 of Sarlahi-4 following a dispute among supporters and representatives of candidates on Thursday.

The dispute broke out at the Shree Primary School polling centre in Jabdi after an elderly voter attempted to cast a ballot with assistance from a person other than a relative.

The issue led to an argument between the two sides, forcing officials to suspend polling for some time.

Chief District Officer Ramuraj Kadariya and district police officials reached the polling centre and mediated the dispute.

Voting later resumed.

Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate Amaresh Kumar Singh, whose municipality the polling centre falls under, also reached the site earlier. Opponents accused him of triggering the dispute after his arrival.

Tension had also been reported earlier at Balara-1, though the situation was later brought under control.

Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa, Singh and Amnish Kumar Yadav of the CPN-UML are contesting the seat.