KATHMANDU, Nov 4: The Election Commission has invalidated the candidacies of five individuals who had registered their candidacy towards the first-past-the-post election of the House of Representatives and State Assembly elections scheduled for December 7.

The candidates whose candidacies have been invalidated include Nepali Congress leader Govinda Raj Joshi who had filed his candidacy as an independent from Tanahun constituency-1, Rishiram Poudel who had registered his candidacy from Nawalparasi (West) constituency-2, Nasrul Miya who had filed candidacy from Morang district constituency 6 (B), Tikaram Pangeni who had filed his candidacy from Kaski constituency 4 (B), and Bidur Prasad Dahal who had filed his candidacy from Kathmandu constituency- 5 (B).

The Joint Election Operation Centre at the Election Commission stated that their candidacies were invalidated on various grounds as being convicted in corruption charge or criminal offence or not meeting the set qualification and candidacy filing procedures.

However, JEOC stated that decision has been made not to invalidate the candidacies of Siraha district constituency 4 (A) candidate Dilip Kumar Saha, Sunsari district constituency 2 (B) candidate Hem Karna Poudel, Llaitpur constituency 1 candidate Nawaraj Silwal and Sarlahi district constituency- 2 (B) as had been sought in the complaints filed against them.

The Office of the Chief Returning Officer, Rautahat has sought the opinion of the Election Commission regarding the complaint against the candidacy of Rautahat constituency-4 candidate Bhogendra Thakur Lohar. One Kanija Khatoon had filed the complaint against Lohar.

Complaints were received against 10 individuals who had registered their candidacy for the House of Representatives and State Assembly elections slated for December 7, according to the Election Commission. RSS