83 candidates in race for 56 NA seats, 12 women unopposed

Published On: January 25, 2018 05:00 AM NPT


KATHMANDU, Jan 26: Filing nomination for the National Assembly election was held across the seven provinces on Wednesday, with 83 candidates registering their names with the Election Commission (EC). 

The polls for the upper house of bicameral parliament, planned for February 7, will elect 56 members out of the total 59 through a single transferable voting system cast by a 2056-member electoral college comprising of the newly-elected members of provincial assemblies and chiefs and deputy chiefs of the 753 local units. 

In a statement, the EC said it received nominations for 83 candidates including 26 women from seven provinces which will elect eight representatives to the National Assembly. Other candidates include 14 Dalit and differently-abled people, 15 members from the minority communities and 28 members from other groups.

Of the 26 women, 12 have been elected unopposed. Those elected unopposed include Nainkala Ojha, Bina Pokharel, Sarita Prasain from Province 1, Shashi Kala Dahal, Mukta Kumari Yadav and Pramila Kumari from Province 2, Komal Oli, Mina Buda and Anita Devkota from Province 5, Taradevi Joshi, Kamala Oli and Indu Kadariya from Province 7. 

The constitution requires each province to ensure representation to at least three women, a Dalit, a disabled person and a member of the minority communities and three people from other groups. 

The EC said it received the highest number of candidacy nomination from Province 3. 
Among the seven provinces, the highest number of candidates was filed in Province 3, while only nine candidates filed nomination in Province 2. 

Data compiled by the election body show that a total of 12 candidates fielded nomination to contest the National Assembly election each in provinces 1, 4 and 6; 11 in Province 5 and 10 in Province 7. 

Almost one-third of the members of National Assembly will be from the left alliance given the strength of the UML and CPN (Maoist Center) in the provincial assemblies and local levels. Similarly, NC, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal are expected to win around 12 seats.  The NC has forged an alliance with FSFN, RJPN, Bibeksheel Sajha Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal, while some other left parties including People's Front are expected to back candidates of the left alliance. 

 


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