Kathmandu, November 6
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has issued a set of directives for members involved in its internal elections, conventions and candidate selection processes. Bhuwan KC, chair of the party’s Central Election Committee, issued the seven-point directive through a statement.
The directive states that all activities related to elections, conventions and candidate selection must be conducted strictly in accordance with the party statute, approved procedures and official instructions. It prohibits unauthorised or parallel processes at any level of the party.
It also says that attempts to influence the process through personal connections, financial power, nepotism, factional pressure, threats or other forms of undue influence will not be tolerated.
According to the directive, members cannot present themselves as candidates or announce and promote their candidacies on social media or through other channels merely because they have submitted applications.
“The party will make final decisions on candidates only after all prescribed procedures, including leadership development programmes, eligibility tests, evaluations and primary elections, have been completed,” the directive states.
Party structures at the ward, municipal, district and provincial levels where conventions have yet to be held have also been asked to consult and coordinate with the relevant higher-level party leadership and departments while preparing for and conducting their conventions.
“No one may announce or campaign for a leadership position before the official date and schedule of the respective convention have been announced,” the party said.
The Election Committee has also prohibited attempts to influence elections through financial transactions, gifts, feasts, threats, misleading publicity, character assassination or the misuse of positions and power.
The directive further bars members from publishing or sharing material on social media or other platforms in violation of the party’s code of conduct and official instructions.
Anyone found violating the party’s directives, statute or code of conduct may face disciplinary action depending on the nature and severity of the violation. Possible measures include cancellation of candidacy, removal from the process or party responsibilities, suspension under the party statute, or termination of party membership.
The committee has also instructed members to immediately remove any material published or shared in violation of the code of conduct or official directives.
The directive requires members to maintain the confidentiality of internal party documents, decisions, discussions, correspondence, records and personal information related to elections, conventions, candidate selection and organisational processes.
