NC’s President election: Deuba vs Koirala in run-off

After none of the five candidates garnered more than 50 percent of total votes, the election of the NC’s president is all set to be elected through a second round of voting between two top candidates securing highest votes.

KATHMANDU, December 14: With none of five candidates garnering more than 50 percent of the total vote cast during the election held on Monday, a run-off is to be held between Sher Bahadur Deuba and Dr Shekhar Koirala --- the top two vote securers -- for the post of president of Nepali Congress (NC).

Deuba, incumbent President and Prime Minister will now be facing Koirala for the post of party’s president.

Deuba secured the highest of 2,258 votes, short of 83 votes to be declared the winner, followed by his nearest contender Dr Shekher Koirala with a total of 1,729 votes.

Likewise, Prakash Man Singh was able to garner 371 votes while incumbent Vice-President Bimalendra Nidhi secured 249 votes. Similarly, Kalyan Gurung got the lowest of 20 votes. 

As per the statute of the NC, candidates vying for the post of party’s president must secure more than 50 percent of the total votes cast in the election.

A total of 4,679 delegates participated in the election held on Monday.

The election committee of the party said  preparations for the second round of election are underway. The run-off will be held soon and results are likely by Tuesday evening.

In the run-off, it is apparent that the candidate getting support of Prakash Man Singh and Bimalendra Nidhi will easily get elected.

Deuba is likely to be elected if Singh or Nidhi supports him while Koirala needs support of both the leaders in order to dethrone Deuba.


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