Kathmandu, Oct. 9 -- Voting to elect the Nepali Congress Central Working Committee began on Friday morning, a day later than planned, with senior-most general convention representative Shobhakanta Baral casting the first ballot.

Delegates began lining up early to vote, reviving the enthusiasm of those who had waited in vain on Thursday. Some are keen to cast their ballots and head home in time to celebrate Dashain with their families.

Raju Katuwal, member-secretary of the election committee, said polling was pushed back because of bad weather and technical problems, and starting late in the day risked forcing voters to wait and vote well into the night.

"We decided to start voting this morning, keeping voters' health in mind," Katuwal ...