EC finalises list of candidates for Ilam by-election

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Apr. 10: The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Ilam has released the final list of candidates for the upcoming by-election in Ilam (2).

Nineteen candidates have been confirmed by the Election Commission for the upcoming poll. Initially, there were 20 individuals who submitted their nominations. However, Keshav Kumar Chapagain, an independent candidate from Ilam-11, withdrew his nomination prior to the publication of the final candidate list.

The finalised list includes candidates Dambar Bahadur Khadka from the Nepali Congress, Suhang Nembang from the CPN-UML, Milan Kumar Yonghang Limbu from Rastriya Swatantra Party, Jit Bahadur Rai, from CPN (United Socialist), Yuva Lakshmi Gurung from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Ganesh Bahadur Chauhan from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (Nepal), Prem Kumar Thumsang from Janmant Party, Min Bahadur Limbu from Mangol National Organisation, Dhanraj Rana Magar from National Republic Nepal Party, Shyam Kumar Darji from Nepal Workers and Pheasants Party, Resham Bahadur Sunar from Nepali Janata Party, and Jaswanta Bikram Shah from Rastriya Mukti Andolan Nepal Party.

Likewise, independent candidates include Dakendra Shing Limbu (Thegim), Dhak Prasad Gautam, Dipesh Bohora, Arjun Bahadur Shahi, Manoj Niraula, Yogendra Gurung and Raj Basyal.

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer in Ilam has announced that election symbols will be allocated to the remaining candidates by Tuesday.

Similarly, in preparation for the by-elections scheduled for April 27, the Election Commission has decided to enforce the election code of conduct in the relevant areas starting from the today. This decision aims to ensure a transparent, impartial, and secure environment for the electoral process.

Following recommendations from the high-level election security committee, the Commission has instructed the district election code of conduct monitoring committee to oversee compliance with the code of conduct in Ilam constituency-2 of the House of Representatives and Bajhang provincial assembly constituency-1.

In a statement released by Shaligram Sharma Paudel, spokesperson of the Commission, it has been emphasised that immediate action should be taken, as per section 42 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2019. This includes gathering necessary information and details through Nepal Police, other security agencies, or any relevant entity regarding adherence to the code of conduct and allowed election expenses by political parties and candidates.

Additionally, political parties, candidates, affiliated organizations, and related individuals are urged to follow prescribed guidelines for processions, general meetings, corner rallies, gatherings, vehicle usage, media engagement, and election expenses. The Commission also reviewed the readiness of the election security system during the meeting of the high-level Election Security Committee.