Kathmandu, Jan. 8 -- party leaders are contesting for 18 National Assembly seats in an election that has turned out to be merely a formality following the alliance between the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML that jointly hold the largest vote shares across the provinces.

"Candidates from seven parties have filed their nominations," said Suman Ghimire, information officer at the Election Commission. "A single candidacy has been filed in one of the clusters of Koshi Province, leaving the position unopposed."

Although 19 seats in the upper house will fall vacant on March 4, voting will be held for only 17 seats, as one candidacy has gone unopposed and another member will be nominated by the President on the government's recommendation. The...