Jha Nepal’s first Vice Prez, Re-polling for Prez on Monday

BY THIRA L BHUSAL
Kathmandu, JULY 19

Parmanand Jha, a candidate of Madhesi People’s Rights Forum (MPRF) has been elected the first Vice President of the federal democratic republic of Nepal.

Former Supreme Court Justice, Jha, received 305 votes while his nearest rival Shanta Shrestha, proposed and Maoist, could garner only 243. The total number of the voters was 294.

However, none of the candidates for President could receive majority of the votes of the constituent assembly (CA) members in today’s polls. Thus, the CA has announced to hold the re-election on Monday for electing the first President of the federal democratic republic of Nepal.

CA Chairperson Kul Bahadur Gurung announced that Dr Ram Baran Yadav garnered 283 while his nearest rival Ram Raja Prasad Singh got 270 votes. One must get at least 298 to get elected the for the coveted post.

Nepali Congress leader Dr Yadav is proposed by the NC and supported by CPN (UML) and MPRF, among other small parties. Maoist proposed Singh and some other parties supported him.

578 CA members took part in the voting Saturday afternoon. 16 CA members including from Nepal Peasants’ and Workers Party, National People’s Front boycotted the election.
If no candidate is able to secure a majority, i.e. 298 votes, a re-election will be carried out between the two candidates securing the highest votes.