Kathmandu, October 25

A task force formed by the CPN-UML and CPN-Maoist Centre today finalised allocation of parliamentary and provincial first-past-the-post electoral districts in 25 districts where the second phase of provincial and parliamentary polls will take place on December 7.

The task force, however, is yet to divide FPTP constituencies in 20 other districts. The second phase election will elect 128 parliamentary FPTP seats and 256 provincial FPTP seats.

“We have almost finalised constituencies of 25 districts and remaining constituencies will be finalised by the top leaders” said Surendra Pandey a UML member of the task force.

The task force has finalised the constituencies in Dhankuta, Terhathum, Saptari, Dhanusha, Sindhuli, Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhkatapur, East and West Nawalparasi,  Rupandehi, Kapilvastu, Gulmi, Palpa, Pyuthan, Bardiya,Surkhet,Doti, Dadheldhura and Kailali districts.

“We have worked out and allocated constituencies for the party. The party will decide on the candidates in the allocated constituencies,” said Pandey. According to him, the task force has divided constituencies on the basis of 60:40 ratio, local election results and influence of local leaders.

The task force has asked the high-level party unity coordination committee to finalise the division of  FPTP constituencies in the remaining  20 districts including Morang, Sunsari, Udaypur, Kaski, Syangja, Dang, Kanchanpur and Salyan where the two parties have rival claims on the FPTP constituencies.

There are four top leaders from the UML in the coordination committee and three top  leaders are from the CPN- MC.

According to Pandey, the coordination committee will discuss and finalise constituency division in 20 districts as soon as possible. The meeting of the committee is likely to be held tomorrow.

Sources said UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and CPN-MC Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal will choose candidates for the constituencies as per their strength in the local levels.

They discussed expediting the selection of candidates and constituencies.

According to Jokh Bahadur Mahara, Dahal’s private secretary,  both leaders have agreed to select candidates as soon as possible.

“We are planning to finalise candidates on the basis of constituencies as soon as possible. Both UML and CPN-MC have learnt a lesson from the first phase of local polls where delay in finalising candidates led to a situation where rebel candidates filed their nominations against the parties’ candidates,” he added.