KATHMANDU, Dec 9: The Nepali Congress, the largest party in the dissolved House of Representatives (HoR), has kicked off the crucial task of selecting candidates for the upcoming general elections on March 5.
Following the Central Working Committee (CWC) meeting on December 1, the party’s lower-level committees are actively recommending names for both direct and proportional representation for the HoR, as well as for one-third of the National Assembly members to be elected on January 25.
Under the CWC’s directives, lower-level committees must submit their recommendations to district committees by Tuesday, and districts are expected to forward the names with their suggestions to provincial committees by December 11.
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NC Chief Secretary Krishna Prasad Paudel had already communicated with all provincial, district, constituency, and provincial assembly-level committees on December 1, prompting party leaders to spring into action to finalize names. On Sunday, NC leaders even visited the Supreme Court to demand the reinstatement of the HoR. Meanwhile, lower-level leaders are busy selecting candidates in line with the party’s instructions.
As per Articles 30, 33(2), and 69 of the party’s statute, up to three names, including at least one woman, can be submitted for direct (the first-past-the-post) representation, while up to two names can be recommended for proportional representation, keeping inclusivity in mind.
The NC has also issued a circular with a ten-point criterion to guide lower-level bodies. In previous elections, when a consensus could not be reached, all aspirants’ names were forwarded to the central office. Analysts suggest that lingering internal disputes, which caused the CWC to drag on for 48 days, are now influencing the candidate selection process at the grassroots level.
Faction-based recommendations are expected to add another layer of complexity to internal party dynamics. Additionally, some party leaders have criticized the circular for proportional representation, arguing it may conflict with the inclusivity principle under Article 84(2) of the Constitution. For single-constituency districts, the circular specifies up to three direct representation names—including at least one woman—and up to two proportional representation candidates, while multi-constituency districts are left without specific guidance.
Article 84(2) of the Constitution mandates political parties to ensure representation of women, Dalits, indigenous nationalities, Khas Arya, Madhesi, Tharu, Muslims, people from backward regions, and persons with disabilities when submitting closed lists of candidates for proportional elections to the Election Commission.
