Kathmandu. The Independent Power Producers’ Association of Nepal (IPPAN) has begun its election to elect the next leadership.

Incumbent General Secretary Balram Khatiwada has announced his candidacy for the post of Senior Vice President of IPPAN. He also announced a 23-member panel under his leadership.

The 24th annual general meeting and election scheduled for Friday will elect the next leadership. Bharat Bahadur Khatri, vice-chairman of the working committee of the party, will be re-elected from Khatiwada’s panel.

Bharat Prasad Nepal, Kumar Kharel and Dipak Poudel are the other vice presidents. Similarly, Srijana Khadka has been elected as woman vice-president.

Similarly, Deputy General Secretary Prakash Chandra Dulal has filed his candidacy for the post of General Secretary. The panel, however, has kept the deputy secretary-general vacant.

Krishna Prasad Ghimire, Tara Bahadur Isbo Limbu, Birendra Bahadur Malla, Sangita Dhamala and Isha Shrestha are the candidates for the post of secretaries. Incumbent executive committee member Mithun Poudel is the treasurer.

Similarly, Somnath Kandel and Dr. Bhushan Guragain, Santosh Raj Nepal, Milan Khadka, Jagadish Shiwakoti, Narayan Kandel, Sukunda Ojha, Jyoti Gaire, Indira Pant and Pradeep Oli are in the fray for the post.

Meanwhile, Uttam Vlon Lama’s group has also announced the panel. The election is likely to be held between the Lama and Khatiwada groups.

According to the IPPAN statute, the senior vice-president will automatically become the chairman. Mohan Dangi is currently the senior vice-president.