Kumal defeated two other opponents by securing 32 votes out of 53 votes, while his competitors Chandra Bikram Rai and Naresh Tamrakar could garner only 17 and three votes respectively. [break]Though over 500 representatives had participated in the convention only 56 organizations listed in NEFIN had been given voting rights. The government has recognized 59 ethnic nationalities in the country.
Similarly, Pemba Bhote, who secured 22 votes, has been elected general secretary. Jagat Bahadur Baram defeated Anglamu Sherpa to bag the post of treasurer of NEFIN secretariat.
Roshani Meche from the women quota, Dandu Sherpa from Himalayan region, Surya Bahadur Majhi from Hilly region, Chinilan Majhi from -inner-Tarai region, and Ram Awatar Mandal from Tarai region were elected as vice-presidents by the convention.
Likewise, Yasodha Chaudhari from women quota, Ganesh Lal Thakai from Himalayan region, Yaman Bahadur Chepang from Hilly region, Chinimaya Majhi from inner Tarai region and Dhyani Urab from Tarai region were elected as secretaries.
The convention also issued 30-point Sauraha declaration demanding institutionalization of federalism, secularism, republic and inclusiveness. NEFEN also demanded that the Constituent Assembly be revived for three months to complete the task of constitution drafting.
The federation has also demanded formation of a national consensus government.
Related story
Kumal community to mark Maghe Sankranti festival in Golaghat
