UML Closed Session Delayed, Party Statute Amended

The closed session of the CPN-UML’s 11th General Convention began late on Sunday after a prolonged Central Committee meeting that revised key provisions of the party statute.

Although the closed session was originally scheduled to start at 7:30 am at Bhrikutimandap, it commenced only after 3:00 pm. Prior to the session, the Central Committee amended the statute to restore the number of party office-bearers to 19, reversing an earlier decision to reduce them to 15 and abolish the senior vice-chairperson post.

With the amendment, the UML will now have one chairperson, five vice-chairpersons, one general secretary, three deputy general secretaries and nine secretaries. The party structure has also been expanded to include a 45-member Standing Committee, a 99-member Politburo and a 301-member Central Committee.

The closed session also finalized cluster-based representation for Central Committee members, ensuring inclusion of women, youth, Dalits, Janajatis, Madhesis, minorities, persons with disabilities and representatives from provinces and the diaspora. The party has guaranteed that at least 15 Central Committee members will be under the age of 40.

Meanwhile, the UML has published its election schedule, with the list of convention representatives to be released and objections invited by Monday morning, followed by the start of candidate registration.