Less women candidates in Nepal's upcoming polls

A total of 11,242 candidates are contesting for the 825 seats in the Nepal Parliament and the Provincial Council. The number of women candidates, however, is quite low.

According to the data released by Nepal's Election Commission, a total of 5,148 candidates are standing for a total of 495 seats, which will choose representatives under the First-Past-the-Post electoral system for the parliament and the provincial council.

As per the data, a total of 1,945 candidates are in fray for the 165 seats of the Parliament and other 3,203 candidates are contesting for the 330 seats of the Provincial Council under the First-Past-the-Post (FTTP) system.

The number of women candidates in Nepal's upcoming elections scheduled for November and December appears to be low.

A total of 146 women are contesting as candidates in the election under the FTTP electoral system for the House of Representatives and 16 women candidates are in fray for the first phase elections and a total of 160 for the second phase.

There are 20 women candidates in the first phase and 217 in the second phase election for the Provincial Council elections.

But the constitutional provision has a mandatory provision of 33 per cent women participation at the Centre, but it is followed only in the proportional representation with 50 per cent participation in the elections.

As per the Proportional Representation Electoral system, 110 members are elected in the House of Representatives and 220 in the Provincial Council.

The Election Commission on Sunday also allotted election symbols to the 4,747 candidates registered for the second round of elections.