Nomination for Prez starts, Bhandari likely to be reelected

Published On: March 7, 2018 10:10 AM NPT


KATHMANDU, Mar 7: CPN-UML has decided to nominate incumbent president Bidhya Devi Bhandari as a candidate for new president today.

While senior leader Jhalnath Khanal was also vying for the position, following an agreement, the standing committee meeting of UML decided to reelect Bhandari for her second tenure.

The Election Commission has called for candidacy nominations from those aspiring to become the third president of the country. Those interested in running for the post can register their candidacy from 10 am to 2 pm Wednesday at the EC's temporary office set up on the premises of parliament at New Baneshwar.

The election of the president will be as per new provisions under constitution of 2015 that allows provincial members to cast their votes as well.

Under the new provisions, a candidate must secure 50 percent of the vote weightage (26,250) out of the total weightage of 52,501 from the 880 voters, to be elected head of state.

The new law for the election of the president and vice president has provisioned that a candidate must secure 50 percent of the total vote weightage to get elected. As the left alliance of the CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Center) jointly command nearly a two-thirds majority in the bicameral parliament and in six of the seven provincial assemblies, the candidate to be fielded by the alliance is certain to win.

If none of the candidates receives a majority, there will be a run-off between the top two candidates. If the two candidates end up getting an equal weightage of votes, the winner will be decided through a drawing of lots.

The election of the vice president will be fixed within a week after the election of the president. There is a provision for conducting the elections of the president and vice president on separate dates with a view to ensure that those holding these two highest positions will be of different genders and communities.

According to the election law, any individual above 45 years of age who is a citizen of Nepal by descent can contest the election. However, a candidate aspiring to contest for the top post must garner the support of at least five members of parliament or provincial assemblies for proposing the candidacy and that of five other members for seconding it.

 


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