Nepal's parliament to elect new President this week

Nepal's new President will be elected in Parliment on Wednesday after political parties failed to come up with a consensus candidate.
With the promulgation of the Constitution on September 20, it was required to elect a new President within a month of the commencement of the Parliament session.
As per the schedule finalised by Parliament, the political parties were given a deadline till today to come up with consensus candidates for the posts of President and Vice president.
However, with political parties failing to come up with consensus candidates, the election for the new President and Vice President will take place on Wednesday, officials said.

Incumbent president Ram Baran Yadav was elected as the first president of Nepal in 2008 after the country was declared a republic.
Candidates for the post of President will have to register by Tuesday afternoon.

The election of the President and Vice President comes even as the new Constitution is being opposed by Madhesi groups.
The agitating Madhesi Front claims that the Constitution does not guarantee enough rights and representation to the Madhesi and Tharu communities residing in southern Nepal.
Madhesis are Indian-origin inhabitants of the Terai region bordering India who are opposed to splitting Nepal into seven provinces.
At least 40 people have died in over a month of clashes between police and protesters from the Madhesi and Tharu communities and ethnic minorities.