164 PR Candidates Withdraw Names

A total of 164 proportional representation (PR) candidates from various political parties have withdrawn their candidacies, according to the Election Commission (EC). The EC has asked the concerned parties to submit new names to replace those who have withdrawn.

The highest number of withdrawals came from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, with 78 candidates pulling out, followed by 21 candidates from the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal. These withdrawals are linked to the recent unification of the two parties, after which candidates originally listed under the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party were adjusted under the Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal list.

Candidates have also withdrawn from several other parties. Twenty candidates withdrew from the Janamat Party, twelve from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, six from Janadesh Party Nepal, five from CPN-UML, four each from the CPN (Maoist Centre) and Rashtra Nirman Dal Nepal. Additionally, two candidates each withdrew from the Unnat Loktantrik Party, Nepal Communist Party, Nepali Congress, and the Rastriya Swatantra Party. One candidate each withdrew from the Gatishil Loktantrik Party, Nagarik Unmukti Party, Nepal Janata Party, Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, Federal Democratic Party, and the Samyukta Nagarik Party.

The Election Commission will publish the closed list of proportional representation candidates on January 18 after receiving replacement names from the parties. Claims and objections can be filed from January 19 to 24. The EC will review the complaints between January 25 and 31, and if any names are removed, a notice will be issued on February 2. The final list of proportional representation candidates will be published on February 3.

The election for the House of Representatives is scheduled for March 5. Of the 275 members in the House, 110 will be elected through the proportional representation system, while 165 will be elected through direct elections. Nomination registration for the direct election will be held on January 20.