Kathmandu. Voting has begun for the election of a new central working committee for the upcoming 15th general convention of the Nepali Congress. Shobha Kanta Baral, the senior general convention representative, has cast his first vote in Gandaki Province.

Voters had been queuing up since early morning to cast their votes. With this, the voters who could not vote yesterday have become enthusiastic again. Those who have to go far away are thinking of going home to vote and bring Dashain. This has energized the Congress convention delegates again.

Member Secretary of the Election Committee, Raju Katuwal, said that the voting was postponed this morning considering the health of the voters as it would be difficult for the voters at night due to delay in voting due to bad weather and technical reasons.

He said that the voting will be tightened till 3 pm. The number of general convention delegates is 7,317, said member secretary Katuwal.

Senior advocate Prem Bahadur Khadka, coordinator of the election committee, said that the voting started in the evening in view of the inconvenience faced by the voters throughout the night. He said that 32 senior advocates along with him had signed the ballot papers due to the large number of ballot papers. The printing of ballot papers was delayed due to the large number of candidates and voters.

Today’s Living and Food Expenses of the Party

}

Coordinator of the Financial Management Committee, Umesh Shrestha, said that the party itself will bear the cost of hotel stay and food of the general convention delegates.

Which state representatives will vote where?

The Election Committee has designated various polling stations for the convenience of the convention delegates. The delegates will have to go to the respective polling stations according to the province and group assigned to them and vote.

National Assembly House, Polling Station ‘A’ — Bagmati Province

Khula Manch, Polling Station ‘B’ — Koshi Province and Tarai-Madhes Group

Himal Hal — Gandaki Province

Terai-Madhes Hal — Madhes Province

Hill Hall — Lumbini, Karnali and Sudurpaschim Provinces and representatives of Nepali Janasamparka Samiti and sister organizations

Identity card and voter list to be verified

The Election Committee has asked the delegates to go to the polling stations of their designated provinces and groups to vote after entering the polling places. The identity card and voter roll of each delegate will be verified before voting. Arrangements have been made for the delegates to vote only after the verification process is completed.

The election committee has said that they will not be allowed to enter the polling place with mobile phones and other materials prohibited by the election code of conduct. Delegates will be allowed to vote only after following the procedures prescribed by the election committee.

Vote counting

The election committee has said that the counting of votes will start after the voting is over. After the voting is over, the ballot boxes will be safely managed and the counting of votes will be started after completing the necessary procedures. The committee has said that the counting of votes will start today.

The election results will be made public after the counting of votes is completed, the election committee said. Along with this, the new central leadership will be elected from the 15th general convention of the Congress.

The 15th Congress has amended the statute to form the Central Working Committee of the Nepali Congress with 297 members. According to the new structure, the elected office-bearers and central members will lead the party for the next term.

The voting is considered important for the selection of the new leadership of the Congress as there is a competition for the post of president and other key posts in the general convention elections. The results of the vote of the delegates will also decide the future political direction and organizational leadership of the party.