Kathmandu, March 25

The Constitutional Council today recommended Secretary of the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya for the post of chief election commissioner. The CC made the nomination a day after incumbent CEC Ayodhi Prasad Yadav retired from service.

The CC also nominated Bishnu Maya Ojha as member of the Inclusion Commission. Thapaliya and Ojha will have to be confirmed by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee.

Ojha, a permanent resident of Hetauda, Makwanpur, is a social activist.

Thapaliya tendered his resignation before he was nominated by the CC as the new chief election commissioner.

Thapaliya, who became a government secretary four years ago, was to retire from civil service on the ground of age in one month.

Thapaliya is a permanent resident of Sankhuwasabha district.

CEC and other commissioners of the Election Commission serve for six years.

Leader of the Opposition Sher Bahadur Deuba was not present at the meeting today when the CC nominated Thapaliya and Ojha for the constitutional posts.

National Assembly Chairperson Ganesh Prasad Timilsina said the nomination for members and chairpersons of National Women Commission and Dalit Commission were listed in the business agenda, but the CC did not take decisions on those agendas due to lack of time.

“Absence of opposition Leader Sher Bahadur Deuba was also one of the reasons why the CC did not take a call on other agendas. We nominated Thapaliya because immediate appointment of CEC is required to hold by-elections,” Timilsina added.