Congress discusses changes to Proportional Representation list
Kathmandu, October 28
The Nepali Congress parliamentary board today discussed changes to the list of candidates under the proportional representation system, besides continuing talks for the selection of first-past-the-post candidates for the second phase elections slated for December 7.
The political parties had submitted their PR lists to the Election Commission on Oct 15, and they have until tomorrow to make final changes to the list.
NC leader NP Saud said since some leaders had expressed desire to contest the elections under the FPTP system, they would finalise the changes to the list by tomorrow morning and submit it to the EC.
“Since tomorrow is the deadline for updating the PR list, today’s parliamentary board meeting mainly focused on it,” Saud said, adding talks were also under way to finalise FPTP candidates.
Some NC leaders, most notably Krishna Prasad Sitaula, have publicly expressed their displeasure over their inclusion in the PR list.
As far as Sitaula is concerned, Prime Minister and NC President Sher Bahadur Deuba and senior leader Ramchandra Paudel have told him that he could contest the election under the FPTP system if he wanted to, according to a senior NC leader.
“Prime Minister Deuba and senior leader Paudel yesterday told Sitaula that if he had already made up his mind to fight the elections under the FPTP system, his name could be taken out from the PR list,” said the NC leader on condition of anonymity.
Sitaula could not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
Meanwhile, the NC also continued talks with other parties, including Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal, Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, for possible electoral alliance today, said Saud.
However, talks with Madhes-based parties have not made significant headway after they demanded more seats in Province 2.
Madhes-based leaders have publicly said that since Province-2 is their home turf, it is not the NC but the Madhes-based parties who should get more seats.