Narapura Budha of the CPN (Maoist Centre) has been elected as the deputy chair of Putha Utarganga Rural Municipality, securing 3,627 votes. Budha defeated Keshakumari Tulachan of the Nepali Congress, who garnered 2,128 votes.

Tulachan was jointly nominated by a coalition of the Nepali Congress and UML to represent Congress in the election.

The position had remained vacant since the former deputy chairperson, Bhupendra Budha, died in a jeep accident on September 13. In the 2079 local elections, Bhupendra Budha of the Maoist Centre had secured 4,059 votes.

By-elections were held on Sunday for 41 out of 44 vacant positions across various local units. Three positions were filled unopposed. Elections were conducted for roles including one mayor, one deputy mayor, and 33 ward chairs, with a total of 377 candidates contesting.

Among the unopposed candidates were Tek Raj Bhattarai and Tika Kumari Chaudhary of the Nepali Congress, who were elected to district coordination committees in Kailali and Okhaldhunga, respectively. Similarly, Jagat Gharti of the CPN (Maoist Centre) was elected unopposed as chair of Ward 2 in Putha Utarganga Rural Municipality.