Election fever rises as one-third of National Assembly seats to vacate

KATHMANDU: With the tenure of one-third of members in Nepal’s upper house, the National Assembly, coming to an end, election preparations are intensifying.

According to the schedule set by the Election Commission, nominations for the 18 soon-to-be-vacant seats will open tomorrow (Wednesday).

The elections, slated for Magh 11, are expected to reshape the composition of the National Assembly.

From Falgun 20, 19 members will complete their six-year terms. Among them, one member, Bamdev Gautam, is nominated by the President, while the remaining 18 are elected members.

Notably, the Nepali Congress does not have any members among those completing their tenure. However, thanks to its strength in local and provincial assemblies, the party is now in a decisive position.

Despite not having a single seat becoming vacant, Nepali Congress is aiming for a significant share in the upcoming elections.

Acting President Purna Bahadur Khadka, along with leaders Ramesh Lekhak and team, has proposed a claim for 7 out of the 18 seats in discussions with CPN-UML and CPN (Maoist Centre).

The Congress’s informal proposal suggests allotting 6 seats to CPN-UML, 4 to the Maoist Centre, and 1 to Upendra Yadav-led Janata Samajbadi Party. Meanwhile, discussions on electoral cooperation are also intensifying between UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli and Maoist Centre Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’.

Who is Retiring?

The list of members retiring in Falgun is dominated by UML and Maoist Centre lawmakers. Eight UML members — Indira Devi Gautam, Gopal Bhattarai, Tulsakumari Dahal, Devendra Dahal, Bhagwati Nyaupane, Bimala Ghimire, Sharda Devi Bhatt, and Sumitra BC — are completing their terms.

Similarly, eight members elected under the former CPN (now split between the Maoist Centre and the Unified Socialist) are also retiring. This includes heavyweight leader Narayan Kaji Shrestha, Beduram Bhusal (Unified Socialist), Gopibahadur Sarki, Gangakumari Belbase, Jag Prasad Sharma, Taramani Swar, Mayaprasad Sharma, and Radheshyam Paswan.

Additionally, two members from Janata Samajbadi Party — Mrigendra Kumar Singh Yadav and Shekhar Kumar Singh (LSP) — are also completing their terms.

Once President-nominated member Bamdev Gautam’s term ends, the Constitution allows the President to reappoint a member on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.