The parliamentary hearing of Election Commissioner nominee Krishna Man Pradhan has been deferred until further notice after the Parliamentary Hearing Committee of the Federal Parliament on Thursday decided to take more time to study questions raised by complainants against him.

A committee meeting postponed the hearing indefinitely after listening to the complainants, who filed objections at the secretariat of the hearing committee against Pradhan’s nomination for the constitutional post.

Pashupati Shumsher Rana, who chaired the meeting, said that the committee conducted an inquiry with the complainants and the latter have recorded their views at the committee. He said the hearing was adjourned until further notice as more time was required to study the issues raised by the complainants.

“We have postponed the hearing until further notice as we needed more time because so many issues were raised during the course of inquiry with the complainants,” said Rana. “The complainants have requested us not to disclose their statements.” He said they needed to study the matter seriously, as endorsing a candidate for a dignified constitutional position like an election commissioner is a serious responsibility. “Therefore, the committee has decided to take more time to study this issue,” Rana added.

A meeting of the Constitutional Council recommended Pradhan for the vacant post of election commissioner.

Pradhan is the executive director of the Nepal Law Society. An expert on electoral reforms and governance, Pradhan has been in the position since 2000.

President Ramchandra Paudel will appoint Pradhan after the parliamentary hearing committee endorses the nomination as per the constitutional provision.