Dr Tuladhar designated acting chief election commissioner

Kathmandu / July 11: Election Commissioner Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar has assumed the role of Acting Chief Election Commissioner of the Election Commission (EC) of Nepal.

Dr Tuladhar succeeds former Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, who retired on July 7 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65.

Although the EC has provision for five office-bearers, including the Chief Election Commissioner, it currently has only two serving commissioners—Dr Tuladhar and Sagun Shamsher JB Rana.

The Constitutional Council has recommended Man Bahadur Karki of Morang for the post of Chief Election Commissioner and Dr Rajiv Subba of Kathmandu and Guru Prasad Wagle of Okhaldhunga for the posts of Election Commissioners. However, they have yet to assume office as their appointments are pending parliamentary hearing.

The Parliamentary Hearing Committee has already initiated the hearing process by inviting complaints against the Constitutional Council’s recommendations.