“This is the first time in NBA history that a democratic panel has swept NBA polls,” said Madhav Baskota, the former general secretary of NBA.[break]
According to the NBA Election Committee, Khadka secured 2,566 votes while his closest rival Hari Krishna Karki of the progressive panel received 2,145 votes. Ram Prasad Mainali of the republican faction close to the Maoists secured 952 votes.
“This is a victory of all lawyers," said Khadka after the results were declared. He added, “The new central working committee of NBA believes that the new constitution should be promulgated within the stipulated time and we will pressure the Constituent Assembly for the same.”
Bijaya Mishra of the democratic panel was elected general secretary, securing 2,695 votes against his closest rival Hari Phuyal (2,156 votes) of the progressive faction.
The election for the 22nd central working committee of the NBA was held on Saturday.
Sitaram Rai (2,626 votes) has been elected vice president from eastern region, Surendra Kumar Mahato (2,466 votes) from central region, Gopal Prasad Pandey ´Alchhi´ (2,700 votes) for western region, Gokarna Dangi (2,573 votes) from mid-western region and Johari Lal Chaudhary (2,694 votes) from the far-western region. Yubaraj Kumar Bhandari has been elected treasurer with 2,601 votes.
Similarly, Thakur Prasad Neupane (2,572 votes), Gopal Krishna Ghimire (2,528 votes), Yogendra Bahadur Adhikari (2,765 votes), Anita Joshi Manandhar (2,730 votes), Bibekraj Dhungel (2,397 votes), Shanta Sedhai Sapkota (2,654 votes), Satish Kumar Jha (2,569 votes), Uddav Chandra Ghimire (2,211 votes) and Manohar Shah (2,262 votes) have been elected members.
The NBA president serves as the vice chairman of Nepal Bar Council, which is authorized to take examinations for the license of lawyers.
The central committee is also the final body to recommend a member of the Judicial Council (JC), representing the lawyers. The JC is authorized to take up complaints against judges, investigate into allegations and take necessary actions against those found guilty in any scam.
Newly elected NBA General Secretary Bijaya Prasad Mishra said the new committee will work towards establishing rule of law in the country and give priority to protecting the lawyers´ professional rights. “Our struggle will be for the independence of the judiciary and free, fair, timely and effective justice delivery system.”
NBA has played a crucial role in the fight for democracy, independence of judiciary, human rights and constitutionalism in the country.
The new committee will replace the existing committee led by Bishowakanta Mainali after one-and-a-half month.
List of elected NBA Central Committee office-bearers
President
Prem Bahadur Khadka (President) - 2,566 votes
Vice-presidents
1. Sitaram Rai (eastern region) - 2,626 votes
2. Surendra Kumar Mahato (central region) - 2,466 votes
3. Gopal Prasad Pandey Alchhi (western region) - 2,700 votes
4. Gokarna Dangi (mid-western region) - 2,573 votes
5. Johari Lal Chaudhary (far-western region) - 2,694 votes
General Secretary
Bijay Prasad Mishra - 2,695 votes
Treasurer
Yubaraj Kumar Bhandari - 2,601 votes
Members
Thakur Prasad Neupane - 2,572 votes
Gopal Krishna Ghimire - 2,528 votes
Yogendra Bahadur Adhikari - 2,765 votes
Anita Joshi Manandhar - 2,730 votes
Bibekraj Dhungel - 2,397 votes
Shanta Sedhai Sapkota - 2,654 votes
Satish Kumar Jha - 2,568 votes
Uddav Chandra Ghimire - 2,211 votes
Manohar Shah - 2,262 votes
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