CPN-UML sets criteria for poll candidate selection

KATHMANDU, AUG 23 -

The CPN- UML has set 10 criteria for what its says selecting right candidates to ensure the party’s victory in the upcoming Constituent Assembly elections.

The priorities include constitutional eligibility; commitment to the party, people and the nation; respect for party-defined discipline and dignity; and completion of six months if one faced disciplinary action from the party.

The criteria endorsed by the Standing Committee on Thursday include sound knowledge of constitution, law and social discipline; possible role in constitution-writing; levy payment; and popularity.

The party’s lower committees—regional election committees, district and zonal committees—have been told to provide three names of prospective candidates from each constituency, including a woman, to the Standing Committee. The committees are directed to clarify the reason if any changes are required after forwarding the names to the higher authorities. Similarly, local committees are told to recommend two names for proportional electoral system from each constituency.

On recommending the candidates, the local committees are told not to repeat the names recommended in the first-past-the-post and proportional representation (PR) categories, and to represent Dalits, women, Janajatis and Tarai-Madhes candidates. Candidates enlisted in the PR system in 2008 are ineligible for recommendation unless highly important for the party.

Party Secretary Bishnu Poudel said the process of recommending names to the Standing Committee will complete by September 5 and the committee will prepare a shortlist by September 15 for final endorsement. “The Standing Committee will begin candidate selection from September 11 and complete it within six days,” said Poudel.

The meeting, which endorsed the finance mobilisation action plan, has formed an election funds collection committee headed by SC member and former Finance Minister Bharat Mohan Adhikari. The meeting has authorised the SC to draft the election manifesto and table it to the Central Committee.

Party insiders say the UML will stick to its previous position regarding the form of governance—directly elected PM and the ceremonial president—and defend seven federal states representing multiple identities.

YAN row to be settled

The UML has decided to resolve disputes in its Youth Association Nepal internally saying that it could cause a loss for the party during the polls. “There’s no need to fuel certain tussles surfaced in the YAN. It’s time to resolve the issue internally and invest entire strength in the polls,” said Secretary Poudel.

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