Kathmandu, December 6

The Election Commission is all set to hold a meeting with political parties on Monday to discuss agenda related to the upcoming election of the National Assembly.

The EC is preparing for the Upper House election following the completion of the by-elections for the members of the House of Representatives, provincial assembly and local levels, on November 30.

According to EC Spokesperson Raj Kumar Shrestha, it has been holding consultations with political parties regarding NA election.

Federal Parliament Secretariat, a few days ago, had requested the EC to prepare for the election. In the 59-member NA, the term of 19 members is expiring on March 3. The election date will be declared after consultation.

Of the 19 members, 18 will be elected through election and one will be nominated by the president on the recommendation of the government. As per the provision, the election shall be held 35 days before the term expires. According to Chief Election Officer Dinesh Thapaliya, the election shall be held before January 29, next year.

The term of the one-third of NA members is of two years, another one-third is of four years and remaining one-third members have a six-year term. The term was determined by drawing lots as per the constitutional provisions.

Sarita Prasai, Surendra Raj Pandey, Hari Charan Shiwakoti, Rampreet Paswan, Bindya Devi Aale, Brishesh Chandralal, Badri Prasad Pandey, Balaram Baskota, Meena Budha, Mukta Kumari Yadav, Dr Yuba Raj Khatiwada, Yutol Tamang, Ramesh Prasad Yadav, Raj Kumar Yadav, Durga Prasad Upadhyay, Dhan Kumari Khatiwada, Kamala Kumari Oli, Kali Bahadur Malla and Khem Raj Nepali have two-year term in the NA.

NA member post held by Finance Minister Dr Yubaraj Khatiwada will be nominated by the president. Among those completing the NA’s two-year term, nine are from the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP), seven from the Nepali Congress, two from Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal and one is from Socialist Party-Nepal.

NA election voters are chairs and vice-chairs of rural municipalities, mayors and deputy mayors of municipalities and provincial assembly members. The election is based on the first-past-the-post system.

Seven women, two people from the Dalit community, two from minority communities and others seven will be elected from the election.