Kathmandu: Although voting in the ongoing 11th National Congress of the CPN UML was said to begin from 8:00 am, it began delaying an hour.

The National Congress to elect new leadership in UML is going on at Bhrikutimandap, Kathmandu. It was inaugurated by Chairman, KP Sharma Oli, at Sallaghari, Bhaktapur last Saturday.

KP Sharma Oli and Ishwor Pokharel are vying for the post of chairman. Oli is in re-election bid for the third time in a row.

Total 660 leaders have filed candidacies for the 301-member central committee in the party.

There are 80 machines installed for voting. As many as 2,263 representatives are attending the convention.

The leadership-changing convention of the UML is held in the wake of Sept 8-9 Gen Z movement that significantly influenced the national politics. The event is observed with keen interest whether Oli, who had to step down as Prime Minister of the coalition government following the Gen Z movement, will be reelected chairman for the third time to reinforce his power in the party or gets drubbing by Pokharel.

The Oli-led faction has claimed that it is an adverse situation facing the party and country, which warrants a leadership of able person, while Pokharel and his panel have asserted that Oli should not continue considering the anti-incumbency atmosphere, especially after Gen Z movement.