National Assembly election to be held January 21 through 25   

Kathmandu, Dec 9 . Election to the vacant seats in the National Assembly, the upper house of the federal parliament, is to be held within January 21 to 25, 2020.

Addressing a discussions programme on the election to the National Assembly organized by the Election Commission here today, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya informed the representatives of the political parties attending the programme that the Election Commission was presenting its recommendation to the government today itself for organizing the election in this period.

The law stipulates that the government shall announce the date for the election to the National Assembly in consultation with the Election Commission. The term of 19 members or one-third members of the 59-member upper house is terminating from March 3, 2020. Of this many National Assembly members, 18 would be chosen through election while the remaining one member would be nominated by the President on the recommendation of the government.

The law also stipulates that all the programmes related to the election should be completed 35 days ahead from the date when the term of the members expires.

“At least 35/40 days are required for preparing for the election. So, accordingly we are recommending to the government to announce the date of election January 21 through 25. No party registered with the Election Commission has been considered big or small (for the purpose of this election). We are committed to treat all equally and have others do the same,” the Chief Election Commissioner said on the occasion.

This election will elect seven women members, two members from the dalit communities, two members from the minority communities and seven members from others. An electoral college comprising the State Assembly members, the chairs and vice-chairs of the Rural Municipality and the mayor and deputy mayor of Municipality will elect the members to the National Assembly.

Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Foreign Affairs Pradeep Kumar Gyawali thanked the Election Commission for conducting the by-election successfully and efficiently. He expressed the government’s and the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)’s full cooperation for holding the National Assembly election as well.

Nepali Congress youth leader Surendra Raj Pandey also reiterated his party’s support in conducting a predictable election to the National Assembly.

Rastriya Janta Party general secretary Keshav Jha suggested keeping a big gap in the period between the nomination of candidates and the day of the voting.
Representatives of Samajwadi Party, Nepali Janata Dal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) among other parties also participated in the discussions.

Election Commissioner Ishwari Prasad Poudyal said the political parties were the main stakeholders of the election and briefed the participants about the electoral college.

According the Election Commission, preparation has been made for holding election for electing three members including one woman, one dalit and one from other communities in State 1; for electing four members including one woman, one dalit, one from the minority communities and one from others category in State 2; for electing two members including one woman and one from others category in State 3; for electing two members including one woman and one from others category in Gandaki State; and for electing three members including one woman, one from minority communities and one from others category in State 5.

Similarly, election would be held for electing two members including one woman and one from the others category in Karnali State; and two members including one woman and one from the others category from the Sudur Paschim (Far-west) State.