Nepal's former rapper to run for PM in key vote after Gen Z protests
Two popular leaders have formed an alliance ahead of March parliamentary elections in Nepal that will challenge the older parties which have dominated the Himalayan nation's politics for over three decades, party officials and analysts said on Monday, Reuters reported.
Rapper turned-Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, known as Balen, a popular elected official, joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) or national independent party, led by a former TV host-turned politician Rabi Lamichhane on Sunday, party officials said.
They said under the agreement with RSP, 35-year old Balen will become the prime minister if the RSP wins the March 5 elections while Lamichhane, 48, will remain the party chief.
Both have vowed to address the demands raised during the "Gen Z" or youth-led protests against widespread corruption in September in which 77 people were killed and led to Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigning, according to Reuters.
EC determines spending limit for NA candidates
The Election Commission (EC) has determined the maximum amount that a candidate can spend for the National Assembly (NA) election.
The EC stated that a candidate for the NA election can spend up to Rs 350,000. As set by the EC spending limit, Rs 70,000 could be spent for vehicle rent, Rs 10,000 for fuel, Rs 1,500 for publicity materials and others.
Likewise, the other costs include Rs 10,000 for transportation, Rs 100,000 for seminar and interaction programs and Rs 14,500 for printing and electronic media.
The EC mentioned that Rs 70,000 could be spent for office management, Rs 30,000 for representative mobilization and Rs 30,000 for miscellaneous items.
The NA election is scheduled to take place on January 25, 2026.
The EC has also asked the candidates to open a separate bank account in banks and financial institutions for the NA election purpose and a responsible person should be named for the spending during the election.
After the completion of the poll, the candidates should submit the election cost to the EC as per the NA Member Election Act, 2075 BS.
EC approves election code of conduct, to be effective from January 15
The Election Commission has sanctioned the Election Code of Conduct 2082 BS, which will be implemented for the forthcoming House of Representatives elections slated for March 5.
The code of conduct, which was published on the Commission's website today, is set to take effect in the first week of Magh (Mid-January).
To ensure that the elections are clean, free, fearless, respectful, and credible, the Commission has revised certain aspects of the previous code.
The approval of this code followed the incorporation of suggestions received on the draft.
According to Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the spokesperson for the Commission, the code will be applicable to the Government of Nepal and its Ministers, Provincial Governments and their Ministers, constitutional bodies and officeholders, as well as bodies and officials under the Government of Nepal or Provincial Governments, local executives and their members, and employees at federal, provincial, and local levels.
This code of conduct for elections will extend to the Government of Nepal and its Ministers, provincial governments and their Ministers, constitutional bodies and officials, agencies of the Government of Nepal or provincial governments and their officials, local executive bodies and their members, along with employees of the federal, provincial, and local levels.
It will also encompass security agencies, security personnel and employees, offices and employees of government, and public institutions, political parties and their affiliated organizations, candidates and related individuals, election representatives and vote counting representatives of political parties and candidates, as well as individuals holding public office, as mandated by the Commission.
Such a code of conduct is established prior to each election to guarantee cleanliness, fairness, transparency, and a fear-free environment during the elections.
RSP President Lamichhane, KMC Mayor Shah sign 7-pt agreement
Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) President Rabi Lamichhane and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah have reached a seven-point agreement on various issues in the lead up to the March 5 elections to the House of Representatives.
RSP President Lamichhane and Mayor Shah signed the agreement this morning.
According to the agreement made public over the social media, the movement against corruption and bad governance waged by the youths shall be owned, and the demands of the injured and martyred families will be appropriately addressed.
Similarly, it has been agreed that Rabi Lamichhane will remain the central president of the party while Balendra Shah will be the prime ministerial candidate for the upcoming House of Representatives elections.
He will be the leader of the parliamentary party following the elections.
The name of the political party and its election symbol will be that of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, and the party's office in Kathmandu.
Issues such as involving youth in the party's organizational structure have been included.
Furthermore, the updated structure of the party following the agreement shall be registered at the Election Commission, while a call shall be made to all alternative political forces to join the RSP.
