KATHMANDU: In a significant development, the High Court Pokhara has ordered a recount of votes in Byas Municipality of Tanahu district. This decision follows a final hearing prompted by a petition filed by Deepak Raj Joshi, a candidate for the position of Mayor of Byas Municipality, with the Court ruling in favor of Joshi's claims, deeming them substantial.

High Court Information Officer Bishwanath Aryal confirmed that the joint bench of High Court Judges Rajan Prasad Bhattarai and Nirmala Poudel Bhattarai delivered the verdict supporting the writ petitioner Joshi. Joshi had submitted the writ on May 26, 2022, naming five parties, including the Election Commission, as defendants, alleging irregularities in the vote counting process.

Representing Joshi's interests, five advocates participated in the case. Baikuntha Neupane, initially declared the Mayor of Byas Municipality after securing 12,078 votes in the local level elections held on May 13, 2022, faced a challenge from Joshi, who garnered 11,826 votes, signaling a closely contested election.