Nepali Congress lawmaker Arjun Narasingha KC will administer the oath to newly elected members of Parliament as the eldest lawmaker in the House.

According to Eakram Giri, spokesperson for the Federal Parliament Secretariat, KC, born in 1947, is currently the eldest among the elected members.

Giri said KC will preside over House proceedings until a Speaker is elected.

The Secretariat has also said a letter will be sent to the President’s Office to arrange KC’s oath-taking ceremony. KC is scheduled to take his oath before President Ramchandra Paudel on March 25. After taking the oath, KC will administer the oath to all members of Parliament on March 26, Giri said.

Article 91(5) of the Constitution states that when neither the Speaker and Deputy Speaker are not elected, the House is presided over by the eldest member present. The election act requires elected lawmakers to take their oath before the person presiding over the House.

The Secretariat said preparations are underway to use the multipurpose hall of the new Parliament building for the swearing-in ceremony.