Local by-elections: Nomination filing today, code of conduct enforced

KATHMANDU: The filing of nomination papers for the local by-elections is taking place today from 10 AM to 5 PM at the offices of election officers established in the respective local levels, according to the Election Commission’s spokesperson, Nita Pokhrel Aryal.

The Commission has announced that all preparations for the nomination process are complete, and the list of candidates will be published between 5 PM and 6 PM today.

A total of 38 election offices have been set up, including 32 main election offices and six election officer offices, in the areas where the by-elections will be held.

Spokesperson Aryal stated that the election officer offices have been established at the centers of the respective local levels or wards where the by-elections are taking place.

Key dates for the by-election process are as follows:

• Filing Objections: Objections against candidates can be submitted on Nov 18 from 10 AM to 3 PM.
• Verification and Decision: Examination of nomination papers and objections will occur the same day after 3 PM, with the final list of candidates published on Nov 19 between 5 PM and 6 PM.
• Candidate Withdrawal: Candidates can withdraw their names on Nov 20 between 9 AM and 1 PM.
• Final Candidate List & Election Symbols: The final list of candidates will be published between 1 PM and 3 PM the same day, and election symbols will be distributed between 3 PM and 5 PM.
• Voting Day: Voting will take place on Dec 1 from 7 AM to 5 PM.

The by-elections aim to fill 44 vacant positions in local governments, including two district coordination committee chiefs, two rural municipality chairpersons, four vice-chairpersons, one municipality mayor, one deputy mayor, and 34 ward chairpersons.