The parliamentary hearing committee has rejected the nomination of Krishna Man Pradhan for the vacant post of election commissioner.

Investigating on the allegations of sexual abuse against him, the hearing committee concluded that he was not fit for the constitutional position.

Earlier on Monday, Pradhan, sensing the possibility of rejection, had notified the parliamentary committee in writing that he wanted to withdraw his name from the process, just hours before the committee was holding its meeting to decide on his nomination.

The meeting of the Constitutional Council on June 16 had recommended Pradhan for a vacant post of election commissioner.

Sunita Baral, CPN-UML whip and member of the committee said that Pradhan’s name was rejected as the allegations made against him were serious.

“Since the victim narrated the incident before the committee in person and the allegations could not be dismissed, it decided to refuse the recommendation made by the Constitutional Council,” she said.

The decision to nominate Pradhan for the constitutional body courted controversy after a woman filed a complaint at the hearing committee accusing Pradhan of sexually abusing her for years. The woman, who was invited to a committee meeting, also narrated the issue in detail to the committee members.

According to high-level sources, Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba had discussed the subject on Sunday and concluded that Pradhan's name could not be taken ahead.

Last week, the committee had deferred the decision on Pradhan's name saying that further discussion was needed on the allegations against him.