KATHMANDU, MARCH 13
President Ramchandra Paudel today took oath of office and secrecy as the third president of Nepal.
The newly elected president took oath of office and secrecy at a special ceremony before Acting Chief Justice Hari Krishna Karki in accordance with Article 71 of the Constitution of Nepal.
At the ceremony, Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal presented a farewell gift to outgoing President Bidhya Devi Bhandari on behalf of the Government of Nepal.
Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal, National Assembly Chairman Ganesh Prasad Timilsina and other high-ranking government officials were also present on the occasion.
Paudel was elected president on March 9.
Last week, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya submitted a report to President Bhandari saying Ramchandra Paudel had been elected the new pesident in accordance with Article 62 of the constitution and Article 60 of the President and Vice-president Election Act, 2019 (2074).
Paudel had defeated CPN-UML candidate Subash Chandra Nembang. Out of 52,628 weightage-based votes, Paudel had secured 33,802 while Nembang got 15,518 votes.
The tenure of outgoing President Bidhya Devi Bhandari ended today.
Heads of various constitutional bodies were present at the function held at Sheetal Niwas. But Speaker Devraj Ghimire did not participate in the programme as he was on a foreign visit.
Former president Bhandari has returned to her private residence, Joint Secretary and Spokesperson for the President's Office Sagar Acharya told THT.
President Paudel has traversed a long political journey to make it to the country's highest position.
Paudel was born on 14 October 1944 to Durga Prasad Paudel and Rishi Maya Paudel. He hails from Byas Municipality of Tanahun district. He entered politics at the age of 15. He spent 15 years in prison. People close to him say that he rose as a leader because of his politically conscious family background.
Paudel, who was once the acting president of Nepali Congress, has held important positions, including deputy prime minister.
He was contender for prime minister several times, but he was defeated each time because he could not get majority.
Political analyst Vijay Mishra said "President Ramchandra Paudel is a 'neutral personality' politically." "His party and all coalition members appreciated him by voting him as head of state. He is the only controversy-free and untainted leader,"added Mishra.
Political Science Professor Lok Raj Baral said, "Paudel is a veteran and the most experienced politician at the moment and he is a perfect fit for the post of president."
A version of this article appears in the print on March 13, 2023, of The Himalayan Times.
