RSP Postpones Convention Elections Amidst Candidate Disputes
The Rastriya Swatantra Party has indefinitely delayed its second-phase voting process during its debut national convention in Kathmandu. The internal election came to a halt after the central election commission failed to release the preliminary candidate list on schedule, sparking frustration among attending representatives.
Key Highlights
- The central election commission missed the 1 am deadline to publish the initial candidate list.
- Voting failed to commence at the scheduled 4 am kickoff time and remained stalled past 7 am.
- Internal disputes and prolonged consensus efforts are blamed for the organizational bottleneck.
- Top leadership posts, including the party chairmanship, have already been decided unopposed.
The internal polling schedule for the Rastriya Swatantra Party first national convention has collapsed. Party officials postponed the second phase of voting after failing to publish the preliminary list of candidates. This administrative delay has completely halted the scheduled transition to electronic voting.
According to the official election timeline, authorities planned to publish the preliminary candidate register at 1 am, with voting scheduled to commence at 4 am. However, the central election commission of the party confirmed that the list remained unpublished by 7 am.
The voting delay is expected to lengthen significantly due to mandatory legal protocols. The commission must still process candidate claims and objections following the publication of the preliminary list, release a finalized candidate roster, and program individual candidate information into the electronic voting machinery.
Earlier in the convention cycle, Rabi Lamichhane secured his position as party chairman after running entirely unopposed. Swarnim Wagle also secured the open vice-chairman seat unopposed following the official candidacy withdrawal of Birajbhakta Shrestha. Similarly, general secretary aspirant Sisir Khanal withdrew his name from contention.
Active electoral contests remain for the remaining leadership positions. Delegates will vote for the women vice-chairman, general secretary, two open joint general secretaries, and one women joint general secretary. Sobita Gautam and Dr. Tosima Karki are competing directly for the women vice-chairman post.
The general secretary race features a crowded field of candidates. The ballot includes Manish Jha, Bipin Acharya, Kabindra Burlakoti, Runju Darshana, Ganesh Parajuli, Sagar Dhakal, Ganesh Karki, and Pramod Neupane.
Party insiders revealed that extensive internal discussions to forge a consensus on leadership selections caused the operational delay. The missed deadlines and prolonged scheduling gaps have caused significant anger among the convention representatives waiting to cast ballots.
Future Outlook
The administrative hurdles facing the Rastriya Swatantra Party during its first national convention highlight the logistical challenges of managing a rapidly growing political entity. As the party transitions toward computerized voting systems, establishing rigid operational protocols will be vital. The outcome of these contested internal elections will shape the party leadership structure ahead of upcoming regional and national legislative campaigns in Nepal.
FAQs
Why was the Rastriya Swatantra Party election postponed?
The election was delayed because the party central election commission could not publish the preliminary candidate list on time. Ongoing internal negotiations to reach a consensus on top leadership roles slowed down the administrative process.
Who won the top leadership positions unopposed?
Rabi Lamichhane was elected unopposed to the post of party chairman. Additionally, Swarnim Wagle secured the open vice-chairman position unopposed after Birajbhakta Shrestha withdrew his candidacy from the race.
Which positions are still being contested in the RSP election?
Delegates will cast votes to decide the women vice-chairman, the general secretary, two open joint general secretaries, and one women joint general secretary.
Who is running for the general secretary position?
The candidates competing for general secretary are Manish Jha, Bipin Acharya, Kabindra Burlakoti, Runju Darshana, Ganesh Parajuli, Sagar Dhakal, Ganesh Karki, and Pramod Neupane.
