Maoists win three of six seats in Nepal by-elections

[Coventina]

Source: Reuters

KATHMANDU, April 12 (Reuters) - Nepal's Maoist former rebels, who now lead a coalition government, have won three of six parliamentary seats in by-elections, their first popularity test since last year.

The Election Commission also said on Sunday that the centrist opposition Nepali Congress party and two other constituents of the ruling coalition won a seat each.

The results of Friday's by-elections for six seats in the special constituent assembly which also doubles as the Himalayan nation's parliament, would not significantly affect the government, an analyst said.

Lok Raj Baral, chief of independent think-tank Nepal Centre for Strategic Studies said the Maoists' top position in parliament compared to other parties hadn't been affected.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSDEL479313