Kathmandu: The dissenting presidential contenders of the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) election have alleged massive irregularities in the online voting of the NRNA International General Assembly 2023, which took place on Oct 19 last year.

Following disputes regarding the fairness of the online election within the Nepali diaspora community, it was agreed to form a three-member technical expert team with a mandate to investigate the alleged irregularities and submit a report within two weeks. RK Sharma, a contender for the presidential position in the 11th general convention of NRNA, confirmed this development.

“It was agreed among the incumbent NRNA ICC Presidents—Kul Acharya, Badri KC, and Rabina Thapa—to postpone the general convention process until a decision could be made based on the probe report. However, the consensus was blatantly violated by the presidential contender KC,” Sharma revealed in a press conference organized by dissenting groups of NRNA in Kathmandu on a Saturday evening.

Another presidential contender, Mahesh Shrestha, stated that KC had influenced the election committee and declared himself the President, which he described as both shameful and contemptible. “Taking the oath of office by violating the consensus reached among the sitting Presidents is unacceptable,” he added.

Both candidates, Sharma and Shrestha, expressed their support for the decision of the NRNA ICC Presidents, Acharya and Thapa, along with the majority of delegates, in accordance with the NRNA statute, as was shared during the conference.

The candidates indicated their acceptance of the decision made at the ongoing general convention. It is worth noting that KC, Sharma, and Shrestha had all competed for the presidential position in the NRNA. Sharma and Shrestha rejected the results, claiming that there was sponsored technological manipulation aimed at ensuring KC’s victory.