KATHMANDU: The Election Commission is gearing up to conduct crucial by-elections in April next year to fill the 24 vacant positions of people’s representatives at the federal, provincial, and local levels.

Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has formally proposed to the government the scheduling of by-elections in April 2024 to address the void left by the demise of several people’s representatives.

“The by-election will not happen this year; it is slated for April next year,” stated Thapaliya.

According to him, the focus is on preparing for the National Assembly elections, and the Election Commission anticipates needing a minimum of three months post-January to adequately prepare for another election.

He stated that discussions have taken place with the government regarding a suitable timeframe for the by-elections.

“Our proposal is to conduct the by-elections in April. We will finalize the schedule once the government provides the official date,” he added.

It is noteworthy that elections for 19 of the 20 vacant seats in the National Assembly are scheduled for January 25, with the remaining seat to be nominated by the President based on the Council of Ministers’ recommendation.