The Nepali Congress is set to further increase the number of office-bearers to 21 at its 15th General Convention in a bid to make the party’s top leadership more inclusive, including by accommodating Gen Z and women representatives.

The number of office-bearers is set to increase from the existing 17. The party, which had 14 office-bearers until its special general convention in January, added three joint general secretaries by amending the statute during the special convention held in January. 

“A large number of people under 35 have entered the party this time. There is pressure to bring them into office-bearing positions as well. At the same time, there is pressure to elevate women, and there is growing demand for electing a joint general secretary under the open category,” a senior party leader told Kantipur. “We are still discussing it and a decision could come on Saturday.”

The Congress has formed a statute amendment committee under General Secretary Pradip Paudel. The committee has proposed increasing the number of office-bearers. The proposal will be endorsed by the central working committee and forwarded to the general convention for approval.

According to party sources, the party plans to increase the number of vice presidents and joint general secretaries while keeping the other positions unchanged. Discussions are underway on adding one or two vice presidents, with at least one likely to be reserved for women.

The party is also proposing to add three joint general secretaries. If approved, the number of joint general secretaries will reach 14.

Currently, eight joint general secretaries are elected, one each from the women, Indigenous nationalities, Dalit, Madheshi, Khas Arya, Tharu, Muslim, and backward-region categories. The three proposed additional positions would include one from the open category, one for people under 35, and another for special experts through lateral entry.

The statute amended by the January convention has already ensured representation of at least 21 people under the age of 35 in the central working committee. The Congress is now seeking to extend youth representation to the office-bearer level as well.

Congress Deputy President Pushpa Bhusal said increasing the number of office-bearers to address the growing enthusiasm among youths, women, and people from other sections of society was a positive step.

“Increasing the number of office-bearers is also necessary to make the party more inclusive and to ensure that the enthusiasm among young people does not fade,” said Bhusal.

The 15th General Convention of the Congress begins Sunday. The central election committee has already announced that nominations for candidates will open at 2 pm on Monday.

The central working committee had 164 members at the 14th General Convention. Following the special general convention, its size has increased to 238. Although the number of office-bearers is set to increase further, the number of central working committee members will remain unchanged.

The special general convention also introduced statutory quotas for youth representation from the ward level to the central working committee, following last year’s Gen Z movement. For the first time, quotas were also introduced to bring professional experts, workers, persons with disabilities, and minorities into the central working committee.

A quota has been set aside for 21 people under the age of 35 in the central working committee. In addition, young people have been guaranteed representation in provincial committees, general convention representatives, provincial representatives and constituency representatives. From the ward to the district committee level, the party has reserved representation for people under 30.

At the general convention, 156 central working committee members, along with 13 office-bearers, excluding the additional positions proposed to be created, will be elected. The remaining 61 members will be nominated by the party president. Previously, the party president had the authority to nominate 41 members to the central working committee.