EC appoints Justice Dilli Ratna Shrestha as Chief Election Officer for NA by-election

KATHMANDU: Justice Dilli Ratna Shrestha of Makawanpur High Court has been appointed the Chief Election Officer for the National Assembly (NA) member by-election slated for May 20 in Bagmati Province.

Issuing a press release Tuesday, the Election Commission (EC) disseminated information regarding the appointment. Shrestha’s appointment will come into effect from April 29.

Shrestha was selected from among the names recommended by Judicial Council.

The by-election is being held for the NA seat from Bagmati Province which was won by former General Secretary of CPN (Maoist Center) Ram Bahadur Thapa ‘Badal’.

The seat is vacant after the Maoist Center took action against Badal for defecting to CPN-UML and expelled him from the party, which automatically disqualified him from being a NA member.

Thapa will contest the seat from the UML this time. Other political parties are yet to field their candidates.

Only chiefs and deputies of local levels and provincial assembly members will cast votes in the National Assembly elections.