EC directs political parties to nominate female candidates for local by-elections

Kathmandu, October 17 — The Election Commission has directed political parties to submit nomination papers for the forthcoming local by-elections scheduled for December 1, ensuring the inclusion of female candidates.

This directive was announced following a meeting of the Commission held on October 17.

According to a statement released by the Commission, spokesperson Narayan Prasad Sapkota noted that political parties intending to nominate candidates for the vacant positions of chair or vice-chair of rural municipalities, mayor or deputy mayor of municipalities, and chief or deputy chief of district coordination committees must adhere to this directive in accordance with Section 67 of the Local Level Election Act, 2017.

Furthermore, the Commission has previously published a timetable for the registration of candidates for the by-elections, set for November 18.

As per the Commission’s data, there are currently 40 vacant positions at the local level, including 1 mayor and 1 deputy mayor of a municipality, 2 chairs and 4 vice-chairs of rural municipalities, and 2 chiefs of district coordination committees.

Additionally, there are also vacancies for 21 ward chairs in municipalities and 9 ward chairs in rural municipalities.