The CPN-UML began electing a new party leadership at the end of a five-day national convention in Janakpur Wednesday, reports from the town said.

General Secretary Madav Kumar Nepal is expected to be elected overwhelmingly for another five-year term after he crushed the opposition led by K.P. Oli and Bamdev Gautam. Voting began at 8 PM.  Results are expected early Thursday morning.

Ninety-seven persons were contesting 43 seats as full members of the central committee; 59 others filed nomination papers for 12 alternative members, reports from the town said.

Dr. Mangal Siddhi Manandhar heads a nine-member election committee.