KATHMANDU: The 14th General convention of Nepali Congress (NC) has begun in the federal capital, Kathmandu today.

The inaugural session of the convention has begun at Bhrikutimandap.

For the inauguration, a stage to accommodate 150 people has been set at Bhrikutimandap, said office secretary, Dr Pradip Parajuli, adding that the participants were not invited from outside the Kathmandu Valley in view of COVID-19.

It is said representatives of Bharatiya Janata Party and Congress I from India, and chiefs of almost all political parties in Nepal are attending the inaugural session.

For the convenience of audience, five big screens have been fixed. Similarly, a separate stage is made for media reporting. Media persons along with 60 video cameras can be adjusted in the stage. Sound system has also been fixed at different places.

The venue and the vicinity are decorated with party flags and election symbol, Tree. There are multiple welcome gates. Banners of the candidates are other sights.

A total of 4,700 general convention representatives are attending the event. They have been managed foods at Bhrikutimandap and lodging at nearby Sundhara hotels.

The closed session of the convention would be held at a hall in Bhrikutimandap. Adequate security arrangement has been ensured for the national convention.

The nomination registration will be held tomorrow from 10 am to 5 pm, the claim and objection against the nomination registration can be made from 5 pm to 7 pm and the decision on the protest will be decided from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The first name list of the candidates would be published from 9:00pm to 12:00 midnight. One can withdraw candidacy by 11:00am Sunday. The final name list of the candidates will be published by 12:15pm.

The voting for the new leadership in the general convention begins from 8:00 am on Monday, according to election committee coordinator, Gopal Krishna Ghimire.

The vote counting for the party president will begin immediately after completion of voting. In case of the second round of election is to be held for party president, it would be held immediately in Rastriya Sabha Griha, Bhrikutimandap. Further programs on election would be made public at the voting center itself.

After the voting is over for officer bearers and members, the ballot boxes would be sealed and kept safely in the presence of representatives of the candidates. The vote count except for the President would be conducted at party office, Sanepa.

Election to 134 office bearers and members

For the central working committee of the party, there is a post for president, two posts of vice president, two for general secretary, and eight for joint general secretary. Election to these posts is imminent. However, treasurer is elected from among the elected central members.

There are 35 central members in open category, nine women, three from each province, nine Dalit, 15 indigenous, 13 khasarya, nine Madhesi, four Tharu, three Muslim, one each from backward region, minority, and handicapped- totaling 134. Besides this, the elected central president picks 33 central members.