RSP convention: Rs 51,000 fee for President, Rs 41,000 for office bearers

KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has officially launched the nomination process for selecting its new leadership under its first general convention.

According to the Central Election Commission, candidates for the position of party chairperson must pay a nomination fee of Rs 51,000 and submit the endorsement of one proposer and 51 supporters, along with their signatures, contact details, and required documents.

The party is reportedly preparing for the possible re-election of current chairperson Rabi Lamichhane through consensus, raising the likelihood of a single candidate contesting for the top post.

For office-bearer positions, the nomination fee has been set at Rs 41,000, requiring one proposer and 21 supporters.

Similarly, candidates for central committee member positions must pay Rs 21,000 and secure endorsements from one proposer and 21 supporters.

The election body has mandated several documents for nomination, including a completed application form, proof of fee payment, a self-declaration confirming no disciplinary action, a copy of party membership, and two passport-sized photographs.

A key rule states that no candidate is allowed to act as proposer or supporter for another candidate; violation of this rule will result in automatic disqualification of the nomination.

In the first phase of the convention, the party will elect a president and 99 central committee members. Voting for this phase is scheduled for tomorrow.

After the results of the first phase are announced, the election commission will release the schedule for the second phase, which will involve the selection of office-bearers.

The party’s leadership structure includes one senior leader, three vice-presidents (including one woman), two general secretaries, five deputy general secretaries, one treasurer, two deputy treasurers, and one spokesperson.