Kathmandu- Political parties have one week remaining to submit their closed lists of candidates under the proportional representation (PR) system for the upcoming House of Representatives election.
According to the Election Commission (EC), the submission of closed lists must strictly follow the revised inclusive representation quotas determined on the basis of the 2078 BS (2021) national census. The revision became effective after the government amended the House of Representatives Member Election Act through an ordinance issued last Friday.
The election programme for the PR system began on Mangsir 21 for the House election scheduled for Falgun 21. Parties intending to contest under the proportional system were allowed to submit applications from Mangsir 21 to 23, during which 100 political parties applied, the EC said.
As per the election schedule, parties will be required to submit their proportional closed lists on December 13 and 14.
Under the amended Act, when submitting closed lists for the 110 proportional seats, political parties must ensure inclusion based on the latest census as follows:
Khas Arya: 33
Adivasi Janajati: 32
Madhesi: 18
Dalit: 15
Tharu: 7
Muslim: 10
Additionally, at least 50 percent of the total candidates on the closed list must be women.
In the previous House election held in 2079 BS, inclusive quotas were determined based on the 2068 BS census. This time, the quotas have been revised in line with population data from the 2078 BS census following the ordinance amendment.
The Election Commission said the preliminary list of proportional candidates will be published on Magh 4. After addressing claims, objections, and complaints, the final closed list will be published on Magh 12.
The House of Representatives consists of 275 members, of whom 165 are elected through the first-past-the-post system and 110 through proportional representation.
Meanwhile, the nomination schedule for direct election candidates has been set for Magh 6.
