over 82,000 file nominations nationwide

By Ranju Kafle 

Kathmandu, Apr.26: More than 82,000 candidates registered their candidatures for the posts of chief, deputy chief ward chair and ward members in all 753 local levels across the country on the second day of nomination on Monday for the upcoming election. 

The Election Commission (EC) informed that data collection process of the candidates was going on by the time this news story was filed Monday night. 

Shaligram Sharma Poudel, spokesperson of the EC, said that the authorities in the EC were busy collecting the final data of candidates from across the country.

The nomination registration began on Sunday when only independent and small parties registered their candidatures. “Ruling, opposition and major political parties participated in the nomination process only on the second day today in a peaceful atmosphere across the country,” Poudel said. 

In Kathmandu, the big parties registered their nominations only in the afternoon on Monday. The atmosphere of the City Hall at the Exhibition Road looked alive and vibrant as a large number of candidates and their supporters thronged there to register their candidature.

When the candidates of both the ruling coalition and the opposition parties donned in their traditional attire of Daura Suruwal and Sari Cholo reached the offices of Returning Officer with some playing panche baja (traditional musical instruments) and others displaying placards, the City Hall premises looked like a bride’s home. On Sunday, it had remained totally calm and deserted. 

The candidates entered the office of the returning officers leaving their supporters outside for the registration of their candidatures. 

The candidates, after filing their nominations today, expressed their commitments to providing housewife allowance, constructing kindergarten, managing garbage problem and transportation system in the Kathmandu Valley, and improving health, education and employment. Meanwhile, EC said that 333 candidates have registered their nominations for the chairperson and 227 for the post of deputy chairperson in Province 1. 

Altogether 835 candidates registered their nominations for the post of local body chief and 424 for the post of deputy head in Madhes Province.

Similarly, 416 candidates have registered their nominations for the post of chairperson and 244 for the post of deputy chairperson in Bagmati Province.

In Gandaki Province, 157 candidates have registered their nominations for the post of chairperson and 92 for the post of deputy chairperson of the local levels. 

Similarly, 299 candidates have registered their nominations for the post of chairperson and 218 for the post of deputy chairperson in Lumbini province.

In Karnali province, 135 candidates have registered their nominations for the post of chairperson and 115 for the post of deputy chairperson in the coming election. 

Likewise, in Sudurpaschim, 168 candidates have registered their nominations for the post of chairperson and 125 for the post of deputy chairperson.