The party´s Standing Committee meeting on Thursday finalized the criteria for candidate selections and decided to issue a circular in this connection to its local committees and other organizations concerned. The circular takes effect immediately.[break]
“A proposed candidate should not be disqualified by the country´s constitution or laws. He or she should be committed to the party, the people and the country,” party Secretary Shankar Pokharel said, informing about the decision. “The person should possess a minimum level of knowledge and experience in connection with constitution making and the formulation of laws.”
Similarly, any person who has engaged in any activity against the country´s constitution or laws, or against social ethics cannot be recommended as a candidate.
The candidate should be able to play the role of a CA member effectively, according to the decision. “The person should be popular with the public and should have a clean image in financial and moral matters.” A leader who hasn´t paid all membership dues to the party cannot be a candidate.
Regarding the selection process for CA candidates to be elected directly from the constituency under the first-past-the-post system, the local bodies should recommend the names of three possible candidates, including at least one woman. The district committee concerned will also suggest three candidates, keeping in mind the names recommended by the local bodies. “The respective zonal committee will forward the names to the Standing Committee, along with its own suggestions,” it is stated in the decision.
On the selection of candidates under the Proportional Representative (PR) system, all the respective district committees are to suggest the names of two possible candidates for each constituency. The zonal committees will forward the district lists to the Standing Committee. Also, the party´s sister wings will likewise suggest names. All the committees will prepare the list, striking a proper balance in terms of gender, ethnicity and representation of various sectors.
The Standing Committee will prepare a list of the total number of candidates based on the suggestions received from the party´s local chapters. The Standing Committee´s proposal will be finalized only after the Central Committee endorses it.
The party has decided to give priority to the list to be prepared by the local bodies. “CA members who were nominated under the PR system in the past will not be brought in again under the PR quota unless this is essential for representing experts, Dalits, women and the ethnic and Madhesi communities,” it is also stated in the decision.
The party has also formed a financial steering committee headed by Bharatmohan Adhikari for purposes of the election.
The meeting also mandated the Standing Committee to draft a party election manifesto that will be endorsed by the Central Committee.
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