Candidates from closed lists cannot compete in National Assembly elections: EC

Kathmandu / Dec 3: The candidates included in the closed lists for the proportional representation system for the members of the House of Representatives and the provincial assemblies will not be able to compete in the upcoming election for members of the National Assembly. The election will be held on Thursday, January 25.

In a press statement issued today, the Election Commission (EC) clarified that candidates on the closed lists cannot run in the National Assembly election unless their names have been removed from the closed lists in accordance with Clause 30(a) of the House of Representatives’ Election Act-2074 BS and a similar provision in the Provincial Assembly Member Election Act-2074 BS.

According to the election schedule approved by the EC, the voter list for the National Assembly’s vacant seats will be published on January 5. Following a two-day period for claims and objections to the published voter list, the final voter list will be published on January 7, as stated by Surya Prasad Aryal, the Commission’s spokesperson.

Nomination for candidates will commence at 10 AM and will continue till 3 PM on January 8, with the final list set to be published on January 11. Complaints against the candidates can be filed on January 9 after the registration of nominations. Similarly, the final list of candidates will be published on January 11 after the examination of nomination papers and resolution of complaints.

Once the withdrawal of names of candidates not contesting the election is completed on January 12, the final list of candidates will be published the same day, and candidates will receive their electoral symbols the next day.