KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has announced preparations for local level by-elections set to take place in December, covering a total of 35 vacant seats across various districts in all seven provinces.
The EC has initiated the process by calling for voter list registrations, addressing positions that remain unfilled for various reasons.
The registration for voter lists, which began on August 13, aims to fill 34 vacant posts, including heads of municipalities, deputy heads, chairpersons, vice-chairpersons, and ward chairpersons.
To address the inconvenience faced by citizens due to these vacancies, the Commission is working to fill the positions through these by-elections.
According to the Local Elections Act, 2073, when vacant positions have over one year remaining in their term, the government, in consultation with the Election Commission, will set a date for by-elections to fill these roles.
As per Section 4 (2) of the Voter’s Roll Act, 2073, once the election date is fixed, registration for the voter list will be temporarily suspended.
Therefore, the Commission urges eligible Nepali citizens to register and update their voter information before the official announcement of the by-election date.
By-elections will be held across various local levels in the following districts:
Koshi Province: Jhapa, Morang, Tehrathum, Sunsari, Okhaldhunga, Udaipur
Madhesh Province: Saptari, Rautahat
Bagmati Province: Dolakha
Bagmati Province: Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Makwanpur
Gandaki Province: Gorkha
Lumbini Province: Gulmi, Rolpa, Bardia
Karnali Province: Kalikot, Jajarkot, Dolpa, Paschim Rukum
Sudurpaschim Province: Bajura, Bajhang, Doti, Darchula, Kanchanpur
The Commission, after consultations with the government, has planned to conduct the by-elections during the second of December.
Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Thapalia confirmed the Commission’s preparations for this schedule.
Currently, the positions of Chairman in Gramthan Rural Municipality of Morang, Vice Chairman in Gaurishankar Rural Municipality of Dolakha, and Chief in Kirtipur Municipality of Kathmandu are vacant.
Additional vacancies include the Chairman of Mahabu Rural Municipality in Dailekh, Vice Chairman of Nalgad Municipality in Jajarkot, and Vice Chairman of Swamikartik Khapar Rural Municipality in Bajura.
Sarkegad Rural Municipality in Humla also has a vacant Vice President position following the tragic death of Vice Chairman Chandrasingh Karki.
The by-election for this position will be held alongside the other local level elections.
Chief Election Commissioner Thapaliya assured that if a position remains vacant up until one month before the by-elections, the Commission will still proceed to fill it through the election process.
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