KATHMANDU, Aug 17: Ten days after the inauguration of the general convention and a gap of nine years, Nepali Congress' student wing -- Nepal Student Union (NSU) -- is set to hold election to choose a new leadership on Wednesday.
Following a row about representatives, the election had been deferred by a week until the issue was settled. Though the general convention directive committee had finalized the representatives from 11 disputed districts on the basis of consensus, another row over representatives from other districts emerged.
A faction of the union, loyal to NC leader Ram Chandra Paudel, expressed objection to the final list of names stating that some names were added without their consent in the last hour.
The elections had been deferred time and again following stalemate between two rival factions.
According to the election committee member Arun Panjikar, altogether 685 individuals have filed candidacy for 129 different posts. NSU is electing a president, 11 vice presidents including each one from seven provinces and a vice president each form Madhesi, indigenous ethnic communities and Dalit community as well as a woman vice president.
Likewise, two general secretary, one treasurer, 13 joint general secretaries, and 101 central committee members will be elected through the general convention.
Eight student leaders have filed candidacy for the new leadership of the student union. According to the student leaders, tough competition is expected between Nain Singh Mahar from a panel loyal to NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and Manoj Mani Acharya from senior leader Ram Chandra Paudel's panel, for the post of president. A third panel in NC, led by leader Krishna Sitaula has decided to second Mahar for the post of president.
Voting process will start from 7 am till 7 pm on Wednesday. Altogether 3800 representatives will cast votes to elect new leadership of the 46-year-old student union.
No NSU membership to those above 32 years
