Supreme Court issues show cause order regarding writ petition against Rabi Lamichhane's candidacy

KATHMANDU, April 5: The Supreme Court issued a show cause order regarding a writ petition filed against Rabi Lamichhane, the Chairperson of Rastriya Swatantra Party and candidate for the House of Representatives by-election in Chitwan-2.

Justice Hari Phuyal conducted the hearing of the case and issued the order.

The writ petition was filed by Yubaraj Poudel (Shafal), who demanded the scrapping of Lamichhane's candidacy citing Article 291 (1) of the Constitution of Nepal. This article states that a citizen of Nepal who holds a foreign permanent residence permit is not eligible for election, nomination, or appointment to an office to be elected, nominated, or appointed in accordance with the Constitution. It is possible to elect, nominate, or appoint someone who has renounced their foreign permanent residence permit to such an office after a minimum of three months. However, Lamichhane has been a Nepali citizen for less than three months.