It has emerged that supporters of the second special general convention of the Nepali Congress have already submitted signatures of 54 percent of general convention representatives to the Election Commission.
On December 31, those in favor of a special general convention had written to the Election Commission, demanding that the commission issue directives to the party president, acting president, and central committee in accordance with Section 57 of the Political Parties Act, 2017.
The Election Commission, however, did not respond to that letter.
A few days later, the signatures of 54 percent of general convention representatives were also submitted, according to an Election Commission official.
“As their dispute escalated and a special general convention appeared inevitable, they submitted the file of signatures tied together with a cord,” the official told Setopati.
Preparations are underway at the ongoing special general convention to dissolve the existing central committee and select a new one. In this context, there is widespread interest in whether the Election Commission will recognize the special general convention.
Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba and leaders aligned with him have been describing the ongoing special general convention as “illegitimate.”
Supporters of the special general convention, however, took a step further by submitting the signatures to the Election Commission in order to secure their position in any future legal or political dispute.
According to the Nepali Congress statute, 40 percent of general convention representatives can call a special general convention.
Since they have already submitted the signatures to the Election Commission, supporters of the special general convention appear confident that the commission will recognize it if disputes arise later.
Nepali Congress General Secretary Gagan Thapa also reassured representatives during the special general convention itself, stating that the special general convention would gain legitimacy.
