Almost all broadsheet dailies published in Kathmandu on Monday have given priority to the filing of candidacies for the upcoming elections under the proportional representation system. Other important social and economic issues have also received attention.
Important
55 political parties submit lists of PR candidates
The Kathmandu Post, in its lead story for the day, says political parties have submitted the closed lists of their candidates to the Election Commission for the proportional representation category of the federal and provincial elections. The report says many parties waited till late in the evening to submit the names. Republica says 11th-hour negotiations delayed the filing of candidacies. Although major parties have told their ranks that they have time to revise the list when they submit their final list, Naya Patrika says it will not be easy as it was previously thought. The paper says that while new candidates can replace old ones, the rank assigned to each candidate cannot be altered. The paper says that only 45 (updated later to 55) parties have registered themselves with the commission. Earlier the number stood at 122.
The Himalayan Times says top leaders of various parties have also opted to contest the elections under the PR system. The paper says the Nepali Congress’ Kul Bahadur Gurung, Sujata Koirala and Krishna Prasad Sitaula and the Maoist Centre’s Ram Bahadur Thapa and Onsari Gharti are some of the big names featuring on the PR list.
Republica, in another story, says except for the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, almost all fringe parties are either entering into a merger or an alliance with bigger parties to contest parliamentary and provincial elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.
The Himalayan Times also says that Maoist Centre ministers in the Cabinet could lose their portfolio soon as the Prime Minister is preparing to reshuffle the Cabinet.
Ignored
Govinda KC’s health deteriorates
The health condition of Dr Govinda KC, who is on a hunger strike for more than 10 days demanding reforms in the health education sector, has deteriorated, Republica reports. The report says that microelements in his blood are decreasing gradually and it can stop bodily functions.
UNHRC elections today, Nepal likely to win seat
The United Nations Human Rights Council’s elections are taking place in New York on Monday. Nepal is one of the member states looking for a spot on the council. Annapurna Post says that Nepali diplomats are confident of a win.
Interesting
Govt study to estimate size of informal economy
File image: A vegetable market in Kathmandu
Karobar says the government is preparing to launch a study to estimate the size of the informal economy in Nepal, The government is commissioning the study as economists warn that revenue collection has stalled because the size of the informal economy is increasing. The study will also identify measures to be adopted to make the economy more formal.
