Kathmandu, October 14

The International General Assembly of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) will elect new leadership of the association tomorrow for a term of two years.

A total of 1,160 delegates from different countries have gathered here to elect the new executive for the next term. Three candidates are vying to lead the NRNA, namely, incumbent president Shesh Ghale (Australia), T B Karki (Qatar) and Ratan Jha (USA). Ghale is the president of the incumbent executive committee, Karki is the vice president and Jha is the general secretary.

For the two posts of vice president, six contenders have filed their candidacy. According to the election committee of NRNA, Bhaban Bhatta (Japan), Khagendra Kshetri (USA), Kumar Panta (Germany), Lakshya Bahadur Gurung (UK), Narendra Bahadur Bhat (Qatar) and Shamsher Singh Thapa (Australia) are in the race.

Four candidates are contesting for the post of general secretary, namely Badri KC (Russia), Puspa Timsina (Spain), Puspa Thapa (Germany) and Ranju Wagle (Australia). Likewise, Arjun Shrestha (Belgium), Dharam KC (Saudi Arabia), Ganesh KC (Australia) and Surendra Shrestha (UK) are contesting for the post of secretary.

Five candidates have registered their nominations for the post of treasurer Bhairab Dhakal (Australia), Chiranjibi Thapa (Japan), Hikmat Thapa (Nigeria), Rajendra Shiwakoti (USA) and Yem Kumar Gurung (Hong Kong).

The general assembly will also elect regional coordinator and co-coordinator for six regions Asia-Pacific, Europe, America, Oceania, Africa and Middle-East. Europe regional coordinator and Africa coordinator have been elected unanimously. Kul Acharya (UK) has been selected as coordinator for Europe and Sunil Karki (Nigeria) for Africa, as per the Election Committee.

Likewise, the 22-member executive committee of NRNA has also elected women and youth coordinator and co-coordinator. Women coordinator and youth co-coordinator have been selected unanimously, namely Sapila Rajbhandari (Russia) and Lok Raj Sharma (Denmark).

The NRN movement was initiated from 2003 and has established networks in 71 different countries. Around 100,000 Nepalis are associated with NRNA. It is reported that five million Nepalis are living in 110 countries. NRNA does not include those Nepalis living in SAARC countries.

After the election, NRNA’s global conference will be held in the Capital on Friday and Saturday with the theme ‘NRNA: A true partner to rebuild Nepal’. NRNA has said that it will focus its activities on reconstruction and rebuilding for next two years.