KATHMANDU: With just 73 days remaining until the House of Representatives (HoR) election, the Election Commission (EC) has issued detailed guidelines requiring political parties to submit closed lists of candidates under the proportional representation (PR) system, strictly adhering to constitutionally mandated inclusion quotas based on the latest national census data.
The election of members to the House of Representatives is scheduled for March 5, 2026. According to the Election Commission, parties must submit their closed lists in line with the Proportional Election of Members of the House of Representatives (First Amendment) Directive, 2082.
The closed list must reflect the population proportions of Dalit, Adiwasi Janajati, Khas Arya, Madhesi, Tharu, and Muslim communities, as revised under Schedule 1 of the House of Representatives Election Act, 2074, based on data from the National Census 2078.
Under the current legal provisions, candidate representation must follow these percentages: Dalit 13.44 percent, Adiwasi Janajati 28.72 percent, Khas Arya 30.28 percent, Madhesi 16.15 percent, Tharu 6.52 percent, and Muslim 4.89 percent.
At least 50 percent of candidates from each inclusive group must be women. If the required number of women results in a fraction, it must be rounded up to the next whole number.
In addition, at least 4.3 percent of candidates must be from backward areas, and the list must also include persons with disabilities. The closed list must be approved by the party’s central committee, and a certified copy of the decision must be submitted to the Commission.
Parties are also required to submit copies of each candidate’s Nepali citizenship certificate or voter identity card, along with proof that the candidate’s name appears on the voter list.
Candidate eligibility criteria include Nepali citizenship, inclusion in the final voter list of any rural municipality or municipality, completion of 25 years of age, no disqualification under federal law, and not holding a position of profit.
The deadline for parties registered under the proportional representation system to submit their closed lists is from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on December 28 and 29.
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