Age limit debate in ANNFSU (R): Election results delayed due to allegations of fraudulent votes

Kathmandu, December 29 — A dispute has arisen within the All Nepal National Free Student Union (Revolutionary), the student organization affiliated with the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), regarding whether to impose an age limit or keep the position open.

As a result, the announcement of the final election results has been halted. The controversy emerged after fraudulent votes were cast in the districts of Baitadi, Bajura, Morang, and Gulmi.

According to sources, complaints were filed about fake representatives casting votes at several polling stations in these districts. Following this, Chief Election Officer Mukti Pradhan announced that the election results would only be made public once the necessary documents from the concerned locations were received.

Pradhan's notice stated, "For the election held on December 28, 2024 regarding the age limit for the All Nepal National Free Student Union (Revolutionary), documents from certain polling stations in both geographical and non-geographical districts are yet to be received. The election results will be fully calculated only after receiving the remaining documents, and the final results will be made public thereafter."

Both sides—those advocating for an age limit and those in favor of an open position—have filed complaints demanding a recount in polling stations where fraud occurred.

In Baitadi, out of 29 representatives, only two were found to have voted, while 16 were reported to be in Kathmandu, and others were in their villages. It is claimed that all votes in this center were fraudulent.

Similarly, in Bajura, 15 out of 20 representatives were found to be in Kathmandu, and fraudulent voting was reported. Complaints of fake votes have also been filed in Morang and Gulmi.

"Fraudulent votes have been reported in several districts. There is a demand for re-voting in those areas. The final results will not be announced until the dispute is resolved. Both sides have filed complaints regarding the imposition of the age limit and keeping the position open," a source told Ratopati.

In Saturday's election, out of 2,428 representatives, around 1,800 voted. Sources claim that the open position side was ahead by about 5 votes by the time the counting was completed. However, both sides have accused each other of electoral fraud.