Millions of Nepalese on Wednesday voted in the second phase of the country's first local-level polls in two decades as the Himalayan nation took a crucial step towards cementing democracy amid political turmoil. <br/><br/>Authorities recorded a 70.5 per cent voter turnout, slightly lower than the 71 per cent recorded in the first phase on the 14th of last month. Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav said, the counting of votes will start as soon as the ballot boxes reach the counting centres. The highest, 80 per cent, voter turnout was recorded at Bajura district while the lowest was reported from Bhojpur<br/>with 61 per cent. The voting began at 7 AM in a total of 8,364 polling centres and concluded at 5 PM. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba cast his vote in Ruwakhola in Dadeldhura district of far-east Nepal. More than 6.4 million people are eligible voters in the 35 districts of Provinces 1, 5 and 7 that have gone to polls in the second phase of polls to elect more than 15,000 local representatives.<br/><br/>In the first round of polls held on May 14 in Provinces 3, 4 and 6, voter turn out was recorded at 71 per cent. All the political parties including the Madhesi parties are taking part in the elections.

Millions of Nepalese people on Wednesday voted in the second phase of the local-level polls which are being held after a gap of two decades. The election is crucial for cementing democracy in the Himalayan nation. The Election Commission announced that around 62 per cent votes have been cast as of 4.30 PM (local time).<br/><br/>In the first round of polls held on the 14th of last month, voter turn out was recorded at 71 per cent. The first phase of the local polls was held in Provinces 3, 4 and 6.The voting started peacefully at 7:00 AM for all the 334 positions.Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba cast his vote in Ruwakhola in Dadeldhura district of far-east Nepal.<br/><br/>More than 6.4 million people are eligible voters in the 35 districts of Provinces 1, 5 and 7 that have gone to polls in the second phase of the local-level polls to elect more than 15,000 local representatives.