Sudurpashchim province prepares for local by-elections

Dhangadhi, November 8 — Political parties in Sudurpashchim Province have begun preparations for the local by-elections, which are scheduled for December 1. The by-elections will fill six vacant positions left by the deaths of elected representatives.

According to Premraj Bhatta, the election officer for Sudurpashchim, elections will be held for the Vice Chairperson of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality in Bajura, Ward Chairpersons in Surma Rural Municipality-4 (Bajhang), Purbi Chauki Rural Municipality-6 (Doti), Duhu Rural Municipality-5 (Darchula), and Bhimdatta Municipality-6 (Kanchanpur), as well as for the Chief of the District Coordination Committee (DCC) in Kailali.

Political parties have nearly finalized their candidates for these positions and have already started campaigning. The ruling parties, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) and Nepali Congress, are working to gain public support. The opposition, including the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), is also finalizing its candidates.

CPN-UML Provincial Chairman Krishna Prasad Jaishi confirmed that most candidates have been decided, with Sushila Kumari Bhandari nominated for the Vice Chairperson of Swamikartik Khapar in Bajura. Bhandari had lost to Meena Joshi of the Nepali Congress in the last election, and the by-election is being held after Joshi's passing. Jaishi also mentioned that CPN-UML has nominated Dev Bahadur Thapa as the candidate for Ward Chairperson in Purbi Chauki-6 and Bahadur Chand for Ward Chairperson in Bhimdatta-6.

For the positions of Ward Chairpersons in Surma-4 (Bajhang) and Duhu-5 (Darchula), CPN-UML plans to decide on candidates based on the choices of Nepali Congress and the Maoist Centre. CPN-UML is also in discussions with the ruling parties to support the Nepali Congress's candidate for the DCC Kailali Chief position. Nepali Congress has unanimously recommended Keshavraj Panta, a ward member from Dhangadhi Sub-metropolitan City-2, as its candidate for the Kailali DCC Chief position.

Kailali's DCC has a total of 26 votes, with Nepali Congress holding 8 votes, the Nagarik Unmukti Party holding 7, CPN-UML 5, CPN-Maoist Centre 4, CPN-Unified Socialist 1, and 1 independent vote.

Meanwhile, the Nagarik Unmukti Party is also claiming the position of DCC Kailali Chief. Party General Secretary Ganga Ram Chaudhary stated that discussions are ongoing regarding their candidate. The Maoist Centre, which is also preparing to finalize its candidate, is expected to make its decision by November 9. The Election Commission has appointed the Chief Election Officer, and the location of the election office will be announced soon, as confirmed by Bhatta.

According to the election schedule, nominations for candidates will be accepted on November 17, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and the candidate list will be published between 5:00 PM and 6:00 PM on the same day.

The Election Commission has instructed political parties to submit nominations for female candidates for positions that were previously held by male representatives in the 2022 local elections. On November 18, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, candidates will have the opportunity to file objections, and the final list of candidates will be published from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM on November 20.

Candidates can withdraw their nominations between 9:00 AM and 1:00 PM on November 21, and the final list will be published from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Election symbols will be distributed from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on the same day. Voting will take place on December 1 from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.