KATHMANDU: The election process for the post of the new Prime Minister has begun after incumbent Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal resigned from his post earlier today.

As per the agreement reached with coalition partner Nepali Congress, the Prime Minister resigned in a televised address to the nation from his office in Singha Durbar.

With the general elections as per the new constitution yet to be held to elect a federal government, the formation of the council of ministers still falls under the 'Transition provision' of the constitution.

Accordingly, Article 298 (2) provides that 'the Prime Minister shall be elected based on a political consensus no later than seven days after the commencement of the session of the Legislature-Parliament.'

Likewise, Article 298 (3) talks about the Prime Minister being elected on a majority provided there is no political consensus as per Clause 2. Until the new cabinet is formed, the incumbent Prime Minister will continue to lead a caretaker government.

Similarly, Rule 49 of chapter 9 of the Legislature-Parliament Regulations-2016 also mentions about the election process of the Prime Minister. Election to the post of the Prime Minister would take place on the basis of a political consensus, and if not the election would be held on the date specified by the Speaker.

Chief of the Parliament Secretariat Information Section, Sudarshan Kuinkel, said that the process of election to the post of Prime Minister would begin after receiving a letter from the Office of the President.

The next Prime Minister is likely to be elected through a majority process as per the understanding reached between the Nepali Congress and CPN Maoist Centre.

Elected to the post of the Prime Minister on August 3, 2016, Pushpa Kamal Dahal has paved the way to hand over the leadership of the power to the Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba as per the agreement with NC.