Kathmandu. A total of 2,925 candidates have filed their candidacies for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) election to the House of Representatives taking place on March 4 at all 165 constituencies across the country as of 6:00 pm.

Speaking at a press conference organized by the Election Commission (EC) this evening, Secretary Krishna Bahadur Raut said that 336 women and 2,589 women had filed their candidacies. He said that it could be increased as the verification work is still going on in some constituencies.

Only four candidates have filed their candidacies in Mastang. Secretary Raut also informed that five candidates have filed their candidacies in Manang. The candidacies for both the districts have already been verified. The highest number of candidacies were filed in Rupandehi constituency-2 and 3 where 35 candidates each had filed their candidacies. Rupandehi constituency number 2 has been verified while constituency number 3 is left.

The offices of the returning officers have informed that the registration of candidacy has been carried out in a peaceful manner. The candidates were scheduled to file their nominations from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm today. The EC has called on the candidates to bring 13 types of documents including citizenship or voter identity card for the registration of candidacy. EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said that the list of candidates will be published from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm today.

The deadline for filing complaints against the candidates who have filed their nomination papers has been fixed from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on January 21. The list of candidates will be published from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the same day after scrutiny and decision on the nomination papers and complaints. The deadline for withdrawal of candidacy is from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on January 22.

The final list of candidates would be published from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on January 22 while the election symbol would be distributed to the candidates from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm on the same day.