With nine days left for the municipal elections, the Election Commission (EC) has begun the issuance of certificates to elected candidates from Sunday.

The government-run Gorkhapatra daily reported that Chief District Officer (CDO) of Tanahu Tej Bir Jung Rayamajhi, who is also the district election officer, gave away certificates to newly elected candidates of Vyas municipality.

Sundar Bahadur Gurung, who was the only candidate filing his nomination for municipality chief received his certificate amidst a function. Similarly Deputy Mayor Gau Maya Gurung and eight other candidates who were declared elected unopposed also received their certificates during the same function.

Only 32 persons have filed their nominations for 57 seats of Vyas municipality and 22 of them withdrew their candidacy on Saturday.

Similarly, the district election office in Gorkha gave away certificates to its newly elected Mayor Man Bahadur Shrestha, Deputy Mayor Ram Kumar Shrestha and ward chairmen of ward nos. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8 on Sunday.

Reports say that certificates have been distributed in Butwal and Nepalgunj municipalities as well.

The EC had declared 24 candidates for Mayor and 31 for deputy mayors as elected unopposed. Similarly, 390 ward chairmen, 618 ward members and 210 female representatives have been declared elected.

Most of the elected candidates are affiliated to dissident faction of Rastriya Prajatntra Party led by Home Minister Kamal Thapa. A few of them represent Nepal Sadbhawana Party, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Rastrabadi) and Independent candidates.

Candidates in 22 municipalities across the country have been declared elected unopposed. Polls are to be held only in 36 municipalities on February 8.