The Election Commission has announced byelection in Chitwan-2 parliamentary constituency on April 23.
This constituency became vacant after the Supreme Court invalidated Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane's election to the House of Representatives.
The constitutional bench of the apex court annulled Lamichhane's election to the HoR on January 28, ruling that since he did not meet legal procedures to get his Nepali citizenship restored, he was not qualified to contest parliamentary election, which he did from Chitwan's Constituency No 2.
The Election Commission issued a press release announcing byelection in Chitwan-2 as per Article 84 (7) and Section 68 of House of Representatives Election Act. Article 84 (7) stipulates that in case the seat of any member of the House of Representatives falls vacant while its term still remains for more than six months, the vacancy shall be fulfilled in the same manner of electoral system in which the seat was filled. Similar provisions are contained in Section 68 of House of Representatives Elections Act.
A few days ago, Umesh Shrestha who had finished second in Chitwan-2 parliamentary election, had filed a petition at the EC demanding that he be declared winner since Lamichhane's election to HoR was invalidated by the court.
Spokesperson for the EC Shaligram Sharma Paudel said that the EC decided it wouldn't have to do anything on Shrestha's petition as the polls panel had decided to hold byelection in Chitwan-2 constituency.
RSP had been saying that the EC should hold byelection in Chitwan-2.
RSP Chair Lamichhane who lost his home portfolio in the Pushpa Kamal Dahal-led government due to a court decision wanted the portfolio for his own party, but the PM did not assign the portfolio to his party saying that Lamichhane was being investigated for allegedly holding two passports - Nepali and American - at the same time.
Media outlets have said that if RSP was allowed to hold home portfolio, it would create a case of conflict of interest as Lamichhane was being investigated in the passport case. Lamichhane is expected to contest from Chitwan constituency where he secured victory in the last general election with a huge margin.
As per the election calendar endorsed today, the polls panel will update voter list for the constituency between February 12 to March 30. Candidates wishing to contest election from this constituency will have to file their nomination papers on April 3. The next day, people can file complaints against candidates. On April 5, the EC will publish the final name list of the candidates.
The next day, the EC will allot election symbols to the candidates.
In the parliamentary elections held on November 20, Lamichhane won HoR election from Chitwan-2 with 49,261 votes. He secured 34,170 more votes than his closest rival Nepali Congress' Umesh Shrestha who garnered 15,099 votes.