KATHMANDU: The Nepali Congress (NC) has provided an additional five days to rebel candidates, who filed nominations against the official candidates of the party and alliance, to withdraw their candidature and become inactive.

The Election Commission (EC) at 1 pm Wednesday published the list of all candidates filing nominations for House of Representatives and Province Assembly elections.

The NC, CPN UML, Maoist Center, CPN Unified Socialist Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, among others, have begun initiating action against the rebel candidates who did not withdraw their candidature within the time given by the EC.

According to the statement issued by the NC on Wednesday, rebel candidates not withdrawing their candidature have been expelled from the party for five years and those expelled would not even remain ordinary members.

However on Thursday, the NC adopted a strategy to make rebel candidacies inactive by giving five more days to rebel candidates to withdraw candidacy or stay inactive.

A statement issued by NC General Secretary Krishna Prasad Poudel on Thursday stated the party would reverse action against those rebel candidates, proposers and supporters who would by October 17 withdraw candidacy or renounce their nominations and remain inactive.

The NC also urged such rebel candidates to issue a public statement with their full commitment to ensure victory of the official candidates of the party and coalition.