Kathmandu, October 5
The Nepali Congress is preparing to amend its statute to ensure that at least one woman is elected as vice-president and one as general secretary of the party.
Under the proposed amendment, the number of vice-presidents will be increased to four. One of the four posts will be designated as senior vice-president.
The party will also increase the number of general secretaries from two to three, with one of the three posts reserved for a woman.
All vice-presidents and general secretaries will have to be elected, according to the proposed amendment.
The number of joint general secretaries will also be increased. The party is preparing to raise the number from 11 to 13.
Of the 13 joint general secretaries, eight will be elected under the inclusive category, two through the open category and three will be nominated by the party president.
The previous general convention had introduced a provision for eight joint general secretaries under the inclusive category.
With the proposed changes, the number of office-bearers in the Nepali Congress will rise to 21.
The party is also preparing to increase the number of central committee members elected from the open category. The number is proposed to be increased from 35 to 45.
A senior party leader said there have been demands to increase the number of central committee members under other clusters as well if the number of open-category members is increased.
According to the leader, an agreement has already been reached to increase the number of vice-presidents, general secretaries, joint general secretaries and central committee members. However, discussions are still underway to determine the final number of central committee members.
The Nepali Congress had previously amended its statute to form a 231-member Central Working Committee. The party is now preparing another amendment that would further increase the size of the central committee.
