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Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said that making the elections successful is the responsibility of everyone involved in the security agencies.

Addressing the provincial-level security seminar held today in Janakpurdham by the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs and the Madhesh Province Ministry of Home, Communication, and Law, he stated that the House of Representatives elections on March 5 will be conducted impartially.

He said, "All units of the security forces should seriously engage in their areas of responsibility to ensure a free and fair election."

Urging the political parties, civil society, and journalists to ensure a successful election, the Home Minister requested the concerned parties not to engage in activities that spread conflict in society.

He also warned that those who violate the prevailing laws will face action. His remarks were aimed at the misuse of social media.

Stating that the incumbent government was formed according to the wishes of Gen Z, the Home Minister clarified that it is the government's mandate to ensure good governance and conduct elections on the scheduled date.

He also instructed the security personnel to be deployed in the field with high morale and to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted by the nation.

The Home Minister said despite limited resources and means, security agencies including the Nepal Police and Armed Police Force are working to make the elections successful, as looted weapons are being recovered and efforts are being made to maintain peace and security.

Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba has said that he is flexible to keep intact the unity within the party.

Discussions were held today between party President Deuba and general secretary duo Gagan Thapa and Bishwa Prakash Sharma for resolving the dispute arising within the party in the context of the Special General Convention underway in Kathmandu at the call of the proponents of the Special General Convention. .

Party spokesperson Prakash Sharan Mahat shared that during the discussions held in the morning at Deuba's residence in Maharajgunj, Deuba stated that he has been working in the past to preserve the party's unity and is still ready to make sacrifices today as well.

During the meeting, President Deuba had urged General Secretaries Thapa and Sharma also to be ready to preserve the unity of the party.

According to Spokesperson Mahat, Deuba stated that he is ready to give up regarding the demand to withdraw his official signature submitted in the election for ticket distribution on behalf of the party.

A decision was made at the previous Central Committee meeting of the Nepali Congress, and the signed document of President Deuba was sent to the Election Commission for the distribution of party tickets to candidates contesting the election on behalf of the party. 

Accordingly, the party's proportional representation tickets for the National Assembly elections to be held on February 25 and for the House of Representatives on March 5 have already been distributed. Now, only the allocation of tickets for the first-past-the post election category remains. 

Other matters, including the special general convention, were discussed among them, and party president Deuba had requested to finalize those issues through the central working committee.

Spokesperson Mahat stated that the general secretaries Thapa and Sharma, after discussing matters with President Deuba, left the meeting with the intention of consulting with colleagues present at the Special Convention. .

The schedule for election of a new leadership of the Nepali Congress party has been announced at the Special General Convention of the party underway in the federal capital.

The election committee formed under the Nepali Congress Special General Convention has set the time for candidate nominations until 9:15 am today. Remaining election procedures will come into effect immediately, shared coordinator of the election committee, senior advocate Sitaram KC.

In the election to be held as per the party's prevailing statute, voting will be held for the posts of one president, two vice presidents, two general secretaries, eight joint general secretaries and 121 central members. 

The election committee was formed under the coordination of senior advocate KC as per the provision of a five-member election committee in the working procedures made by the special general convention.

There are currently 4,635 general convention delegates eligible to vote for a new leadership of the party.

The Special General Convention being held at the joint initiative of General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Biswaprakash Sharma is underway since January 11.

Originally scheduled to be held for two days, it was extended to basically allow time for negotiations with the establishment faction of the party, which was opposed to the special general convention called by more than the required 50 per cent of the general convention delegates.

A total of 175 candidates have withdrawn their names from the closed list of the proportional representation under the House of Representatives (HoR) member elections to be held on March 5. 

According to the list published by the Election Commission (EC), candidates with 17 election symbols (including single) withdrew their names. The candidates were given until January 12 (Monday) to withdraw their names, if needed. 

Assistant Spokesperson of the EC Kul Bahadur GC informed that a total of 175 candidates of 17 election symbols have withdrawn their names during the period. Among those withdrawing their names also include candidates from the political parties submitting their names in the closed list from a single election symbol. 

Assistant Spokesperson GC stated that the highest number of candidates withdrawing their names include 110 from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP). It has been reported that this party has withdrawn the names of 110 candidates from the closed list as it has forged an election alliance with other parties. 

Similarly, the Election Commission stated that 20 candidates from Janamat Party, 12 from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), six from Janadesh Party Nepal, and five from CPN (UML) have withdrawn their names. 

Four candidates each from Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) and Rashtranirman Dal Nepal have also withdrawn their names. 

Likewise, two candidates each from Nepali Congress, Unnat Loktantrik Party, Nepali Communist Party and Rastriya Swatantra Party have withdrawn their candidacy. 

One candidate each from the United Democratic National Forum, United Citizens Party, Rastriya Mukti Party Nepal and Janata Samajwadi Party under the single election symbol 'Janto (grinder)' have withdrawn their names from the closed list. Similarly, one candidate each from Gatishil Loktantrik Party, Nepal Janata Party, and Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party have withdrawn their names. 

The political parties had submitted their names in the closed list towards the proportional electoral system on December 28-29. 

The general elections will elect 165 members through the direct election system and 110 members through the proportional election system in the total 275-member House of Representatives.