Deuba, Dahal file papers for second phase Nepal poll

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba and former premier Pushpa Kamal Dahal yesterday filed their nominations for the second phase of the parliamentary and provincial polls scheduled to be held in 45 districts on December 7. Deuba, also the president of the ruling Nepali Congress, filed his nomination for a parliamentary seat from his home district Dadeldhura in far west Nepal. He would be contesting the election for the sixth time from the same constituency. CPN-UML chief, K P Oli filed his nomination from Jhapa district constituency No.5, situated in eastern Nepal. Dahal, CPN-Maoist Centre chief, filed his candidacy from Chitawan district constituency No.3 situated in central Nepal while former prime minister and CPN-UML senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal filed his papers from Kathmandu constituency No.2. Apart from the prominent leaders, other candidates also filed their nominations, between 10am and 5pm. “The candidates registered their candidacy at the offices of chief returning officers and returning officers in their constituencies in a peaceful manner today,” an Election Commission spokesperson said. On October 22, candidates had filed their nomination papers for the first phase of polls scheduled to take place on November 26. Another senior UML leader Jhalanath Khanal filed his candidacy from Ilam constituency No.1 in eastern Nepal, while Nepali Congress general secretary Shashanka Koirala filed his candidacy from Nawalparasi 1. The CPN-UML and the CPN-Maoist have forged electoral alliance for both the provincial and parliamentary elections giving a tough fight to ruling Nepali Congress, which emerged as the largest party in the last parliamentary elections.In total, 1,405 candidates filed nominations for the second and final phase of parliament and assembly elections, so far. According to the Election Commission, 522 candidates submitted their papers for 128 constituencies of House of Representatives and 883 candidates filed nominations for 256 seats of Provincial Assemblies in 45 districts on Thursday. Candidates can withdraw their names on Sunday and final list of candidates will be published on the same day.