KATHMANDU, Jan 20: Candidate nominations for the House of Representatives (HoR) election, scheduled for March 5, will be registered on Tuesday across all 165 constituencies. According to the Election Commission (EC), nomination papers can be filed from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM at the offices of election officers nationwide.
The EC said the preliminary list of candidates will be published between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on the same day. As per the election schedule, complaints against nominated candidates can be filed on January 21 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Scrutiny of nomination papers and complaints will be carried out from January 21 (3:00 PM) to January 22 (5:00 PM), followed by the publication of the updated candidate list between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM on January 22.
Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations on January 23 from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. The final list of candidates will be published the same day between 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM, while election symbols will be allotted from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, according to the EC. Election officers’ offices have been set up in all 165 constituencies, and preparations for the polls have been completed, the EC said.
Filing of nomination for NA elections starts
Meanwhile, the EC has urged candidates to refrain from showiness while filing nominations. Issuing an appeal on Monday, on the eve of the nomination day, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that musical bands and other displays of pomp during nomination filing are strictly prohibited by law. “Tomorrow, January 20, marks the time for those who wish to contest the election to submit their nomination papers,” he said.
Bhandari also made it clear that the election schedule will not be altered. “There will be no amendments, additions, or subtractions to any aspect of the timetable,” he said. “Nominations will be filed on the designated dates, and the election will be held as scheduled. The Commission is confident about this.” The EC has already enforced the election code of conduct from midnight on January 18.
According to the EC, all election officers’ offices across the country have received the necessary materials to verify whether a candidate’s name appears on the voters’ list. This time, the EC has made it mandatory—by explicitly stating it in the code of conduct—for candidates to submit their property details, which must be sealed in an envelope.
The EC said candidates are required to submit 13 types of documents along with their nomination papers. These include a copy of the citizenship certificate or voter ID card and proof that the candidate’s name is included in a local voters’ list. Candidates holding salaried positions in the federal, provincial or local governments—or in institutions owned, controlled or funded by these governments—must also submit proof of resignation from such posts.
A nomination paper duly filled out and signed by one proposer and one supporter whose names appear on the voters’ list must also be submitted. In addition, candidates must provide a receipt or voucher showing the deposit of a Rs 10,000 security amount at the election officer’s office. Women, Dalit, minority and economically disadvantaged candidates are entitled to a 50 percent waiver on the security deposit.
Candidates must also submit a personal details form, proof of settlement if they have taken any advance from any elected, nominated or appointed body, proof of clearance if any amount is due for recovery as per audit, and a commitment letter in line with Schedule 3 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082 BS, the EC said.
