Page 36 - Nepal

Lesser known RSP emerges as dark horse in Nepal general elections

The Rastriya Swatantra Party, floated by a former television personality, has emerged as the dark horse in the Nepal elections, coming third behind heavyweights like the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, and leading in seven constituencies. The counting of votes started at 7 am local time on Monday and continued till 5 pm, a day after about 61 per cent polling was recorded across the Himalayan nation. The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is floated by Rabi Lamichhane, a 48-year-old former television personality, who shot to fame while attempting to set the Guinness world record for hosting the longest-ever marathon talk show in 2013. The RSP is currently leading in three constituencies in Kathmandu and one in Lalitpur district. The ruling Nepali Congress (NC), which has so far won in one constituency, is leading in 32 constituencies, while CPN-UML led by former prime minister K P Sharma Oli is leading in 17 constituencies. RSP is leading in 7 constituencies, while the Rastriya ...

61% voting recorded in Nepal elections, 1 killed in poll-related violence

About 61 per cent polling was recorded on Sunday in Nepal's parliament and provincial assemblies elections, marred by sporadic violence and clashes that left one person dead and disrupted voting at several polling stations, officials said. The polling started at 7 am local time at over 22,000 polling centres and closed at 5 pm. "The nationwide voter turnout has stood at around 61 per cent. This is likely to increase slightly as we continue receiving details from districts across the country," Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya told reporters. "This is certainly less than what we had expected," he added. The voter turnout is significantly lower as compared to the past two elections - 77 per cent in 2013, and 78 per cent in 2017. More than 17.9 million voters were eligible to cast their votes to elect a 275-member House of Representatives and provincial assemblies. Thapaliya said the elections were held largely in a peaceful manner except for a "few minor incidents.

Nepal elections pass off largely peacefully, total turnout 61%: CEC

Nepal on Sunday held largely peaceful elections to the federal Parliament and provincial Assemblies with some cases of violent clashes between party cadres reported

Missing rare white-rumped vulture from Nepal found in Bihar's Darbhanga

A winged visitor, a rare white-rumped vulture, from Nepal which went missing some ten months ago, was found by Bihar's bird ringing station officials at Darbhanga after it went off the radar despite being radio tagged. The bird, belonging to a critically endangered species, was last sighted in the Himalayan nation's Tanahun district, and was found in a weakened condition as it was starving for want of food, according to officials. The white-rumped vulture was listed as a critically-endangered species in 2000 as its population declined rapidly, primarily as a result of feeding on carcasses of animals treated with the veterinary drug diclofenac, Chief Wildlife Warden PK Gupta told PTI. White-rumped vultures, found generally near human habitations, were very common in the Indian subcontinent, besides Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam. These birds feed mostly on the ground, but roost and nest in trees and cliffs, and spend much of their time soaring on wind current

Nepal votes to elect new parliament, provincial assemblies amid instability

Millions of Nepalese began voting on Sunday to elect a new parliament and provincial assemblies amid tight security, hoping to end the political instability that has plagued the country for more than a decade and impeded growth. The polling started at 7 am local time at over 22,000 polling centres and will close at 5 pm. The counting of the votes will begin soon after the polling ends but final results are expected within a week. More than 17.9 million eligible voters will elect a 275-member House of Representatives. Out of a total of 275 Members of Parliament, 165 will be elected through direct voting, while the remaining 110 will be elected through a proportional electoral system. At the same time, voters will also choose representatives to seven provincial assemblies. Out of a total of 550 members of the provincial assemblies, 330 will be elected directly and 220 will be elected through the proportional method. Political observers closely watching the elections have predicted

Nepal President tells people to enthusiastically participate in voting

Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari on Saturday urged all people for their enthusiastic participation during the November 20 elections, stressing that voting is the highest exercise of civil rights. More than 17.9 million eligible people will on Sunday vote across the Himalayan nation to elect 165 out of a total of 275 members of the federal Parliament, and in provincial elections in seven provinces. The remaining 110 will be elected through a proportional electoral system. Issuing a message on the eve of the polls, Bhandari urged the voters to participate enthusiastically in the elections to the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies being conducted in a single phase across the country. Bhandari expressed her belief that the democratic system and institutions will gradually become more responsive to the people through the general elections conducted in a free, fair, fearless manner. The elections will help establish good governance and transparency that the people are

17.9 mn people set for national and provincial elections in Nepal on Sunday

Nepal will hold national and provincial elections on Sunday which the Nepali Congress-led ruling coalition is expected to win but unlikely to provide much-needed political stability in the country sandwiched between India and China. More than 17.9 million people are eligible to vote in seven provinces across the Himalayan nation. The polling will start at 7 am local time and close at 5 pm. Out of a total of 275 members of the federal Parliament, 165 will be elected through direct voting, while the remaining 110 will be elected through a proportional electoral system. Similarly, out of a total of 550 members of the Provincial Assembly, 330 will be elected directly and 220 will be elected through the proportional method. All preparations and security arrangements have been completed. Political observers closely watching the elections have predicted a hung parliament and a government that is unlikely to provide the required political stability in Nepal. Political instability has bee

Shadow of India-China tussle, high inflation over Nepal elections

About 18 million people are eligible to vote for the 275-member Parliament, as well as the 550 members of seven Provincial Assemblies

Indo-Nepal border sealed for 72 hours ahead of general elections in Nepal

Following the decision, the people will not be allowed to travel between these two countries from midnight of November 17

CEC Rajiv Kumar invited as international observer for Nepal polls

Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has been invited by the Election Commission of Nepal as an international observer for the forthcoming elections there. Elections are scheduled in Nepal on November 20 to elect 275 members of the Federal Parliament and 550 seats of the seven Provincial Assemblies. Kumar will be leading a delegation of ECI officials as state guest in Nepal from November 18 to 22, the poll panel said on Thursday. Kumar would be visiting polling stations in Kathmandu and nearby areas. The EC also has a similar international election visitors programme where members from other poll management bodies are invited to experience first hand India's Lok Sabha and assembly elections.

6.6 magnitude earthquake hits western Nepal; 6 dead, several injured

Earthquake measuring 6.6-magnitude occurred in western Nepal whose centre was Doti district, according to the National Earthquake Monitoring Center

Nepal earthquake: PM Deuba condoles loss of lives, rescue underway

Nepal Army has been mobilized to the earthquake-affected areas for a search and rescue operation

6.3 magnitude earthquake hits Nepal; tremors felt across north India

Strong tremors were felt across north India in the small hours of Wednesday after a 6.3 magnitude earthquake struck the Himalayan region near Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand along the Nepal border. The National Centre for Seismology (NCS) said the epicenter of the earthquake was in Nepal, about 90 km east-southeast of Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand, and it struck at 1.57 am Wednesday. The tremors were felt in Delhi and surrounding areas of Ghaziabad and Gurugram and even in Lucknow, jolting people out of their sleep. The Himalayan region in Uttarakhand and adjoining Nepal has been experiencing earthquakes of lower magnitude for the past couple of days. Union Minister Meenakashi Lekhi tweeted, Didn't want to tweet but one can safely say it did feel like an earthquake! Congress leader Radhika Khera urged people to stay alert and stay safe. Radio Jockey Raunac said, It was scaryextremely scary. The USGS said the epicentre of the earthquake was at 21 km from Dipayal in Nepal. The region had

SC order against extending term of GMR Upper Karnali hydropower in Nepal

Nepal's Supreme Court on Thursday issued an interim order and asked the government not to implement its decision to extend the term of India's power giant GMR that is developing the Upper Karnali Hydropower Project. The Cabinet had decided to extend GMR's term by two years. A single bench of Justice Ishwor Prasad Khatiwada issued the interim order against the Cabinet's July 15 decision, according to the apex court sources. The supreme court questioned why the Cabinet made the decision on the extension of the project when it was earlier decided by the Investment Board of Nepal. The Investment Board of Nepal and GMR signed the project development agreement seven years ago with two years term. Later, the Cabinet decided to extend the term by another ten years up to 2023 as the project could not move forward as agreed upon in the contract. Likewise, the board again had given one more year for financial closure for the Indian company. Advocate Ratan Bhandari, working in Nepal's water

China increasingly involved in Nepal's domestic politics ahead of elections

On November 20, Nepalis will head to the polls to elect their 11th government since the country became a democratic republic in 2008.

India gifts 200 vehicles to Nepal as logistic support for Nov 20 polls

India on Tuesday gifted 200 vehicles to the Nepalese government for logistical support to various Nepali institutions for the smooth conduct of the November 20 general elections. Nepal, which is going for elections for the federal Parliament as well as the provincial assemblies on November 20, had requested the Indian government for the vehicles, according to an Indian embassy press release. In a ceremony organised at the Ministry of Finance, Indian Ambassador to Nepal Naveen Srivastava, on behalf of the Indian government, handed over 200 vehicles to Finance Minister Janardan Sharma, as a gift for logistical support to various Nepali institutions for the smooth conduct of elections. Out of the 200 vehicles, 120 are for the security forces while 80 vehicles are for the Election Commission of Nepal, the press release said. The vehicles would prove to be useful in further augmenting the logistical arrangements of various institutions of Nepal across the country for conducting the ...

Cinese Prez Xi's visit had no substantial impact on Nepal-China ties

Three years since Chinese President Xi Jinping's historic Nepal visit in 2019, there is not much to show for it.

Tea Board may modify past order on blending, change to help tea firms, TCPL

Existing notification bars blending imported tea with GI-tagged Indian varieties; Sources said commerce ministry left it to the Board to take a reasoned call on modification

China's undeclared blockade of Tatopani affecting Nepalese businessmen

China's undeclared blockade of the Tatopani checkpoint is adversely affecting Nepalese businessmen, some committed suicides and many have left their businesses.Since the outbreak of Covid-19 in China in December 2019, Nepal's trade through the China border has been affected, reported EPARDAFAS.The border point from which Nepal collects revenue of Rs 5 billion annually from import and export of Rs 20-25 billion worth of goods is deserted these days.Just after the Chinese leader, Li Zhanshu visited Nepal, the checkpoint was opened on September 15 but the border has not been resumed completely. The movement of goods and services through this checkpoint is not seen rapidly. The trade is very less than the expectation made that trade will be effective after when the border reopens, reported EPARDAFAS.Many businessmen here are worried as China is not interested in opening the border. According to the former president of Sindhupalchok Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rajendra Kumar ...

Nepal President Bidhya Devi Bhandari hospitalised after health deteriorated

Nepal's President Bidhya Devi Bhandari has been admitted to Tribhuwan University Hospital after her health deteriorated