KATHMANDU, April 3: Lawmaker DP Aryal is set to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives unopposed after he filed the sole nomination for the post on Friday.
The Parliament Secretariat had set the nomination registration period from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm, during which Aryal emerged as the only candidate.
According to the House of Representatives regulations, if only one nomination is registered, the presiding official declares the candidate elected unopposed after a supporting lawmaker speaks in the House. The formal announcement will be made during the next meeting of the House, scheduled for Sunday.
Mahara is sole candidate for speaker
With the ruling alliance holding a clear majority in the 275-member House, opposition parties did not field a candidate for the position.
Following the selection of the Speaker, the process to elect the Deputy Speaker will begin. The election will take place on a date and time set by the Speaker.
Parliament Secretariat spokesperson Ekram Giri said the constitutional provision requires the Speaker and Deputy Speaker to be from different parties and of different genders. However, if only one candidate is nominated, both positions may come from the same party.
After being declared elected, the Speaker must take the oath of office and secrecy before the President before assuming official duties.
