Poudel secured 61 votes, defeating his rival for the post, Sher Bahadur Deuba who had recieved 48 votes.

Poudel and Deuba came face to face in the second round of election after the results of the first round of election failed to decide upon a clear winner. NC's parliamentary party statute states that a candidate must get more than 50 per centof votes to be elected as the leader.

Deuba had lead the first round of election with 45 votes with Poudel following him with 39 votes. Kul Bahadur Gurung and Suprabha Ghimire, the other two candidates, had secured 12 votes each. A second round of election was then held as none of the cadidates had a mojority of over 50 per cent. But the tables turned and Poudel emerged victorious.

One hunderd and nine out of the 114 NC lawmakers cast their votes for the parliamentary leader. One vote was invalid. Party president Girija Prasad Koirala, who had earlier called for a consensus candidate, refrained from casting a vote, asserting that he would not take anyone's side. NC leaders Ram Saran Mahat, Bal Dev Sharma Majgainya and Shashank Koirala are not in the Valley. NC leader Nilambar Acharya chose to not vote.

Seventeen members of the PP working committee have been elected as well, 10 of whom were elected unopposed. The 22-member PP working committee will take complete shape as soon as Poudel nominates his deputy and other remaining members.