Kathmandu. Out of 3,487 candidates who filed nomination papers in all 165 constituencies on Tuesday, complaints were filed against five candidates from four districts, according to the Election Commission.

According to EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the complaint was registered against one candidate of Sunsari district election constituency no. 2, one candidate of Rautahat district constituency no. 1, two candidates in Bhaktapur district election constituency no. 2 and one candidate in Kailali district constituency no. 1. According to him, five complaints were lodged between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm today at the offices of the returning officers in all the 165 electoral constituencies across the country.

The deadline for filing complaints against the candidates who filed their nomination papers was set from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm today if they did not meet the qualifications.

The complaint was filed before the Election Officer of the concerned area as per Schedule 16 of the House of Representatives Election Directive, 2082. In the complaint, it is stated that the returning officer has registered in the registration book as per Schedule 17 of the Directive and the compensation as per Schedule 18 has been given to the concerned complainant.

As per the election programme, the returning officer has prepared the details of the complaints registered within the deadline after the expiry of the deadline for lodging complaints against the candidates and published them in the office as per Schedule 19. The party against whom the complaint is made in the notice to be so published shall be present with evidence within the period specified in the notice. After the publication of such notice, the concerned candidate shall be deemed to have received the notice thereof.

He said that the inquiry and decision on the nomination papers and complaints would be made from 3 pm today to 5 pm on January 22. The list of candidates will be published from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on January 22. The deadline for withdrawal of candidacy is from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on January 22.

The final list of candidates will be published from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm on January 22. On the same day, election symbols will be handed over to the candidates from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm. As per the information received at the Election Commission so far, 3,487 candidates including 3,089 male, 396 female and one from third gender have filed their candidacies.