KATHMANDU: Election Commissioner Janaki Kumari Tuladhar has assumed the responsibilities of acting Chief Election Commissioner following the retirement of acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari.
Bhandari retired on July 7 after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 65. As the senior-most commissioner, Tuladhar has taken over the role.
Under Bhandari’s leadership, the by-election for a member of the House of Representatives was held on March 5.
The five-member Election Commission currently has only two serving commissioners—Dr. Tuladhar and Commissioner Sagun Shumsher Jabara. Former Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya retired on April 18, while former Election Commissioner Ishwari Prasad Paudel completed his tenure on February 16, 2023.
Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Hearing Committee has begun the hearing process for three nominees recommended to fill the vacant posts, inviting complaints against the candidates.
The Constitutional Council has recommended Man Bahadur Karki of Morang for the post of Chief Election Commissioner, and Dr. Rajiv Subba of Kathmandu and Guru Prasad Wagle of Okhaldhunga as Election Commissioners.
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