UML fast-tracks candidate endorsements for March 5 general elections

KATHMANDU: The CPN (UML) has accelerated the endorsement process for direct candidates ahead of the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.

Senior party leaders are being nominated individually from various constituencies.

Key nominations include:

• Jhapa-5: Party Chair KP Sharma Oli

• Kathmandu-5: Ishwar Pokharel (unanimously endorsed by the regional coordination committee)

• Rupandehi-2: Vice Chair Bishnu Paudel

• Dang-2: General Secretary Shankar Pokharel

• Kailali-4: Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta

• Bhaktapur-2: Secretary Mahesh Basnet

Other notable nominations include Pradeep Gyawali (Gulmi-1), Khimalal Bhattarai (Rupandehi-5), Leelanath Shrestha (Siraha-3), Ganesh Thagunna (Darchula), Gulabjung Shah (Salyan), Damodar Bhandari (Baitadi), Dhruv Shahi (Surkhet-1), Kulmani Devkota (Surkhet-2), Surya Dhakal (Banke-1), Dalbahadur Sunar (Banke-2), Vishram Chaudhary (Kapilvastu-1), Tilak Mahat (Nawalpur-2), Milan Gurung (Kaski-2), Badri Mainali (Nuwakot-1), Keshav Pandey (Nuwakot-2), Ajay Gupta (Rautahat-1), Laxmi Mahto Koiri (Mahottari-1), and Suhang Nembang (Ilam-2).

The candidate registration for the elections will open on Jan 20, and political parties are actively finalizing their lists.

The UML plans to forward the nominations from regional and district committees to the central committee for final approval.