The Rastriya Swatantra Party on Thursday unveiled its election manifesto for the November 20 federal and provincial polls, proposing a directly-elected executive prime ministerial system as a form of governance.

Unveiling the manifesto at an event in Kathmandu, the Rabi Lamichhane-led party has proposed a broader electoral college for the presidential election incorporating ward chairpersons to federal lawmakers. Currently, an electoral college, including the members of the federal parliament and provincial assemblies, vote to elect a new president as per the constitutional provision.

The party, through the manifesto, has proposed electing an apolitical president.

Descendants of Nepali citizens who have not joined any political party or received political benefits for the past 10 years are eligible to compete in the presidential election, the party’s manifesto states.

The newly-formed party’s pledge regarding the head of the executive body is closer to the pro-monarchy Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) which has also proposed a directly elected executive prime minister in its poll commitments.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party has also proposed a directly-elected Chief Minister in provinces.

The party has also floated a proposal in which the chairman of the upper house is a de facto vice-president.