Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba was re-elected on Wednesday as the president of the ruling Nepali Congress — the country’s largest democratic party — for a consecutive second four year term after defeating his rival Shekhar Koirala in a run-off.

Dueba secured 2,733 votes during the second round of election, defeating Koirala, who secured 1,855 votes, according to the 14th general convention of the Nepali Congress. Koirala is the nephew of former Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

The total number of votes cast during Tuesday’s election was 4,623 while 35 votes were declared as void.

The first round of the election could not decide the party president as none of the five contestants received a clear majority of more than 50 per cent votes. Deuba had secured 2,258 votes while Koirala received 1,702 votes in the first round of voting.

To be elected president, a candidate must secure 50 per cent plus one vote, failing which then the two candidates with highest votes will contest a round among themselves, according to party rules.