Nepali Congress President Koirala was elected as the prime minister in a voting conducted at the Legislature-Parliament after the CPN-UML decided to support Koirala in the election. Koirala got 405 in favour of Koirala while 148 votes were cast against him.

After being sworn in as the new prime minister, Koirala administered the oath of office and secrecy to Nepali Congress leader Ram Sharan Mahat as a Cabinet minister. But his portfolio has been undecided.

Vice President Parmanandha Jha, Chairman of the Council of Ministers and outgoing executive head Khil Raj Regmi, his outgoing Cabinet colleagues, former prime ministers, political leaders and other dignitaries were present during the swearing-in ceremony.

Earlier in the day, UML Standing Committee had decided to boycott the swearing-in function following tussle over portfolio distribution. The party had also warned of staying out of government if the Home portfolio was not given to it.

However, CPN-UML Chairman Jhalanath Khanal and senior leader Madhav Kumar Nepal marked their presence, at the function, as former prime ministers.