Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba on Saturday filed his candidacy for the post of prime minister, election for which has been scheduled for 11am Sunday. 

After the CPN-UML decided not to field its candidate, Deuba is the sole candidate in the prime ministerial race, and voting will be a mere formality to pave his way to Baluwatar—for a fourth time.

Outgoing Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the CPN (Maoist Centre) proposed Deuba’s candidacy while senior NC leader Ram Chandra Poudel seconded the proposal at the Parliament Secretariat which on Friday published the schedule to elect the new prime minister on majority basis.

Bijay Kumar Gachhadar of Nepal Loktantrik Forum, Jaya Dev Joshi of CPN (Samyukta), Kumar Khadka of Akhanda Nepal Party and Prem Bahadur Singh of Prajatantrik Samajbadi Party supported Deuba’s candidacy. 

“Voting is just a formality. We already enjoy a comfortable majority,” said outgoing Deputy PM and Minister for Home Affairs Bimalendra Nidhi after Deuba filed his candidacy at around 11:30am. 

Deuba needs to secure 297 votes in the 593-strong Parliament to prove his majority during Sunday’s election, and with the NC-Maoist Centre alliance enjoying 287 seats in Parliament and four other parties supporting the alliance having 21 seats, it looks plain sailing for Deuba.

However, there is a caveat. Deuba may not become the 40th prime minister of the country on Sunday in view of the UML’s rigid stance not to let the House function. The main opposition party has announced to continue House obstruction on Sunday as well, saying it objects to the Election Commission’s decision to hold re-polling in 

Ward 19 of Bharatpur Metropolitan City.