The Election Commission (EC) has registered 25 political parties for the upcoming local by-elections, scheduled to take place on December 1, 2024. The announcement follows the submission of 26 applications during the registration period from September 26 to October 2, of which 25 were approved, the election body said in a press release on Sunday.

The decision was made in accordance with Article 271 of the Constitution of Nepal and Clause 48 of the Political Parties Act, 2017, it said.

As per the election schedule, the nomination of candidates will take place on November 17 from 10 am to 5 pm at the office of the Electoral Officer. A preliminary list of candidates will be published from 5 to 6 pm on the same day. Any objections or complaints against the listed candidates can be lodged on November 18, between 10 am and 3 pm.

The verification and decision on the nominations and complaints will be carried out on November 18 and 19, with the final list of candidates set to be published by 6 pm on November 19.

Candidates can withdraw their nominations on November 20, from 9 am to 1 pm. The final list of candidates will be published from 1 to 3 pm the same day, followed by the allocation of election symbols between 3 and 5 pm.

“Voting will take place on December 1, from 7 am to 5 pm, at designated polling stations,” the Commission said.

The electoral body has also announced a 48-hour silence period, starting from midnight on November 28, during which election campaigning will be prohibited.

The election authority had earlier announced that there are 41 vacant positions, including two district coordination committee chiefs, two chairs, four vice-chairs, and 10 ward chairs of rural municipalities, as well as one mayor, one deputy mayor, and 21 ward chairs of municipalities.

Previously, the commission conducted by-elections for the House of Representatives in Bara-2, Chitwan-2, and Tanahu-1 on April 23, 2023, and for Ilam Constituency-2 on 27 April 2024. The provincial assembly election in Bajhang (A) was also held on April 27.