CHITWAN: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which has long advocated for the inclusion of a ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option in the constitution, is facing criticism after the provision was not implemented in its own internal election.
During the ongoing five-day first general convention in Chitwan, the voting process for 99 central committee members reportedly proceeded without a NOTA option in the electronic voting system.
The system, developed by Ram-Laxman Khanal of Nuwakot, has come under scrutiny after the absence of the feature that the party leadership itself, including party chair Rabi Lamichhane and senior leader Balen Shah, had previously supported as part of electoral reform discussions.
The omission sparked protests at the convention site on Wednesday night, with delegates chanting slogans against the leadership for failing to implement what they described as a core party agenda.
Several party leaders have expressed dissatisfaction over the issue. Lawmaker Sagar Dhakal said the absence of NOTA in the central committee election was disappointing and should at least be introduced in the upcoming office-bearer elections.
Speaking to journalists in Bharatpur, Dhakal said the provision should have been included in the election of central committee members. He added that he would raise the issue with the leadership and push for its implementation in the next phase of voting.
However, he acknowledged that he is not in a decisive position and expressed doubts about whether the demand would be implemented. He also suggested that he may need to secure a leadership position to influence such reforms.
Another lawmaker, Rajeev Khatiwada, also criticized the process, calling the voting system “unprecedented” and questioning the requirement for voters to select candidates even in cases where they may not support them.
“There is probably no election in the world where voters are forced to vote for their own competitors,” he said, adding criticism over the absence of a NOTA option.
The controversy has fueled broader debate over whether the party has already abandoned its long-standing push for a “right to reject” provision after failing to implement it in its own internal democratic process.
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