Proving the pre-poll analysis and predictions of many analysts and media wrong, Maoists appear set to sweep the polls as shown by the initial results of vote counting from several parts of the country.

Till early morning, Saturday, Maoists have won four seats - Pampha Bhusal in Lalitpur-3; Rajkaji Maharjan in Lalitpur-2; Dev Gurung in Manang; and Lila Somai in Palpa-2 - while NC and UML have won one each (Prakash Man Singh in Kathmandu-1 and Chandra Bahadur Gurung in Mustang).

The Maoists have made major inroads into the Kathmandu valley constituencies.

In Kathmandu district's ten constituencies, Nepali Congress (NC) has won in number 1 constituency. In the remaining constituencies, NC is leading in three, UML in one and Maoists in five. In number two constituency, Unified Marxist Leninist (UML) general secretary Madhav Kumar Nepal is trailing behind Maoist candidate Jhakku Subedi. Maoist chairman Prachanda is leading in Kathmandu-10.

In Lalitpur, Maoist candidate Pampha Bhusal has won the number - 3 constituency by defeating UML's Raghuji Pant. In constituency -2, Maoists' Rajkaji Maharjan has sported the victory cap while in number 1 constituency, Maoist candidate Ananta is leading.

After winning the election, Bhusal told reporters that she will now work to translate the commitment to establish federal republic by uprooting feudalism. "I will also work hard to ensure inclusion of women in all organs of state," she said.

In Bhaktapur, Nepal Workers and Peasants Party (NWPP) is leading in both constituencies.

The valley used to be a stronghold of UML in past elections.

Reports coming from across the country show that Maoists are leading in over 40 places while NC and UML are leading in around dozen each.

In far and mid western districts of Dang, Bardiya, Kanchanpur, Maoists are leading in most seats. Same is the case in Kavre district where they are leading in three out of four constituencies.

In Chitwan, Maoists are leading in three out of five constituencies. In Jhapa, they are leading in five out of eight constituencies. nepalnews.com sd Apr 12 08