KATHMANDU, Nov 8: Candidates representing various political parties and independent ones filed their candidacies for federal and provincial assembly by-polls scheduled for November 30 in a peaceful manner Thursday.

The Election Commission is holding by-polls in 52 positions of federal, provincial and local governments after some of the people’s representatives elected in 2017 died either in accidents or from illnesses.  Leaders contesting for vacant 48 positions of local units, however, will file candidacies on November 17. 

On Thursday, candidacies were filed for three seats of provincial assembly members in the districts of Baglung, Bhaktapur and Dang and a seat of House of Representative in Kaski. 

In Kaski, 25 candidates including 10 independents filed their candidacies for the seat of federal parliament. The ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) leader Bidya Bhattarai filed her candidacy whereas main opposition Nepali Congress has fielded Khemraj Poudel in the constitutency.

Poudel is a veteran Congress leader. 

The position was left vacant after the then tourism minister Rabindra Adhikari, who was elected from Kaski-2 died in a helicopter crash in Taplejung in February.  NCP candidate Bhattarai is Adhikari’s widow. 

According to polling officer Rudra Neupane, apart from the major parties —NCP and NC-- candidates of Samajwadi Party Nepal’s Dharma Raj Gurung, Rastriya Prajatantra Party leader Rom Bahadur Bhandari, Ganga  Malla from Rastriya Prajatantra (Unified), Rajani KC from Sajha Party, Jamuna Subedi from Bibeksheel Nepali Dal  and  Chandra Bahadur Ranabhat from Nepali Congress (BP) are contesting for the position.

CPN-ML’s leader Teknath Bhandari, Rastriya Janamukti Party leader Puna Bahadur Rana, Deshbhakta Samaj Party leader Bir Bahadur Bishwakarma,  Riyaj Gurung of Mangol National Organization,  Nagarik Party leader Nawaraj Ghale and   Jayawanta Bikram Singh  of Rastriya Mukti Aandolan are also in the fray.

Kamal Jung Kunwar, Yakshya Prasad Pangeni, Laxmi Kumari Bujeil, Sunil Bhusal, Sunil Bahadur Koirala, Umanath Gautam, Dipak Gautam, Nawaraj Bastola, Ran Bahaudr Damai and Purushotam Khanal are contesting the election as independent candidates for the parliamentary seat. Kunwar is a wildlife conservationist. 

Kunwar, who resigned from government job, to contest the election, is known for his work to preserve rhino during his stay in the Chitwan National Park. 

Political observers say major competitions will be between candidates of the ruling and the main opposition parties even as   more two dozens of candidates contesting for the elections. 

In Baglung, 10 candidates--eight from various political parties and two independent candidates-- have filed candidacies for a provincial assembly seat. The seat is lying vacant after Tek Bahadur Gharti, who was elected from Baglung 2(B), died. 

The ruling NCP and Rastriya Janamorcha had decided to support Janamocha’s candidate. Rastriya Janamorcha fielded Khim Bikram Shahi based on agreement reached between two parties. 

However, NCP leader Sherman Gharti has rejected the understanding and filed his candidacy. 

Congress has fielded Jit Sherchan as its candidate. He was defeated by deceased Gharti in 2017’s provincial assembly elections.

In Dang 3 (B), 14 candidates are contesting for a provincial assembly seat that was left vacant after the death of Uttar Kumar Wali died in a road accident in February. 

The ruling NCP has fielded Wali’s widow Bimala in the constituency whereas Congress has fielded Keshav Sharma Acharya.  Stiff completion is expected between ruling and opposition parties although altogether 14 candidates including two independent candidates are in election fray.

In Bhaktapur 1(A), 21 candidates—10 from political parties and 11 independent -- are contesting for the provincial assembly seat. The seat turned vacant after the death of Harisharan Lamichhane, who was elected in 2017. 

Nepali Congress has fielded Krishna Lal Bhadel filed his candidacy for the vacant position whereas DP Dhakal is contesting from NCP. Nepal Peasants Workers Party fielded   Niraj Lawaju. 

Likewise, Shyam Nepal of Rastriya Prajantatra Party, Ram Sharan Malicche from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Unified), Sudarshan Munakarmi of Samajbadi Party, Suraj Pradhan of Sajha Party also filed their candidacy. 

 
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