The CPN-UML has amended its party statute once again, increasing the number of office-bearers to 19.

The decision was taken at a central committee meeting held at Bhrikutimandap ahead of the party’s 11th general convention closed-door session. Party chair KP Sharma Oli tabled the amendment proposal, which the meeting endorsed.

The move reverses a decision taken at the statute convention in September, which had reduced the number of office-bearers from 19 to 15.

According to Rajendra Gautam, chief of the party’s publicity department, the party will have five vice-chairs, one general secretary, three deputy general secretaries and nine secretaries under the revised structure.

According to UML leader Mahesh Basnet, the central committee’s decision will be presented at the hall of the general convention for endorsement and the election process will immediately begin once it is endorsed. Over 2,200 delegates from across the country are attending the convention to elect the party’s new leadership.

The meeting also finalised a new organisational structure with a 45-member Standing Committee, a 99-member Politburo and a 301-member Central Committee.

Following the meeting, the closed-door session of the 11th general convention is set to begin at Bhrikutimandap.

The general convention was inaugurated on Saturday at Sallaghari in Bhaktapur, drawing a large turnout of leaders and cadres from across the country. The party has claimed it to be its largest gathering to date, with more than 2,200 delegates, including elected and nominated representatives, and 309 observers taking part. Around 10,000 volunteers were mobilised for organisational and logistical management.