- Sunday, 18 January 2026
Kathmandu, Jan 14: A total of 175 candidates have withdrawn their names from the closed list of the proportional representation under the House of Representatives (HoR) member elections to be held on coming March 5.
According to the list published by the Election Commission (EC), candidates with 17 election symbols (including single) withdrew their names. The candidates were given until January 12 (Monday) to withdraw their names, if needed.
Assistant Spokesperson of the EC Kul Bahadur GC informed that total 175 candidates of 17 election symbols have withdrawn their names during the period. Among those withdrawing their names also include candidates from the political parties submitting their names in the closed list from single election symbol.
Assistant Spokesperson GC stated that the highest number of candidates withdrawing their names include 110 from the Loktantrik Samajwadi Party (LSP). It has been reported that this party has withdrawn the names of 110 candidates from the closed list as it has forged election alliance with other parties.
Similarly, the Election Commission stated that 20 candidates from Janamat Party, 12 from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), six from Janadesh Party Nepal, and five from CPN (UML) have withdrawn their names.
Four candidates each from Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) and Rashtranirman Dal Nepal have also withdrawn their names.
Likewise, two candidates each from Nepali Congress, Unnat Loktantrik Party, Nepali Communist Party and Rastriya Swatantra Party have withdrawn their candidacy.
One candidate each from the United Democratic National Forum, United Citizens Party, Rastriya Mukti Party Nepal and Janata Samajwadi Party under the single election symbol ‘Janto (grinder)’ have withdrawn their names from the closed list. Similarly, one candidate each from Gatishil Loktantrik Party, Nepal Janata Party, and Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party have withdrawn their names.
The political parties had submitted their names in the closed list towards proportional electoral system on December 28-29.
The general elections will elect 165 members through the direct election system and 110 members through the proportional election system in the total 275-member House of Representatives.
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02- Two business firms penalized
Kathmandu, Jan 14: The Department of Commerce, Supplies and Consumer Protection has imposed a cash fine on two firms.
During a monitoring and inspection of the markets, the firms were found flouting regulations. As a result, the department imposed a fine of Rs 10,000 on BS Dhawalagiri Traders and Rs 15,000 on Sindhu Materials Pvt. Ltd.
The Department has stated that the two firms were penalized as they were found operating contrary to the provisions mentioned in the Consumer Protection Act, 2075 BS. Of the 14 firms monitored by the department two were penalized while corrective instructions were given to 12 others.
The department has been monitoring firms selling construction materials in recent days. The department is regularly monitoring markets as of late with the participation of local administration, consumer rights activists and other concerned bodies. Any firm found not complying with the regulations has been penalized as provided in the law.
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03- NC Special General Convention: Election for new leadership today
Kathmandu, Jan 14: Schedule for election of a new leadership of the Nepali Congress party has been announced at the special general convention of the party underway in the federal capital.
The election committee formed under the Nepali Congress special general convention has set the time for candidate nominations until 9:15 am today. Remaining election procedures will come into effect immediately, shared coordinator of the election committee, senior advocate Sitaram KC.
In the election to be held as per the party’s prevailing statute, voting will be held for the posts of one president, two vice presidents, two general secretaries, eight joint general secretaries and 121 central members.
The election committee was formed under the coordination of senior advocate KC as per the provision of a five-member election committee in the working procedures made by the special general convention.
There are currently 4,635 general convention delegates eligible to vote for a new leadership of the party.
The special general convention being held at the joint initiative of General Secretaries Gagan Thapa and Biswaprakash Sharma is underway since January 11. Originally scheduled to be held for two days, it was extended to basically allow time for negotiations with the establishment faction of the party, that has opposed to the special general convention called by more than the required 50 per cent of the general convention delegates.
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04- Mist and fog in Tarai to improve by noon
Kathmandu, Jan 14: Mist and fog present at some places over the Tarai region is likely to gradually improve by noon today.
The weather is expected to remain partly cloudy over the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces, while it will be mainly fair in the rest of the country, according to the 8:00 am bulletin by the Meteorological Forecasting Division.
Later tonight, mist is likely to occur at some places over the Tarai region, while partly cloudy conditions are expected over the high hilly and mountainous regions of Koshi and Gandaki Provinces. The weather will remain mainly fair in the rest of the country.
Meanwhile, the meteorological analysis by the Division says that there is partial influence of westerly winds throughout the country.
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05- One killed in road accident
Tansen (Palpa), Jan 14: One person has died in a road accident that took place near the Bishwakarma Temple in Jorte, Ribdikot Rural Municipality-2.
The accident took place at 4:00 am this morning when a tipper truck (Na 8 Kha 365) carrying cement from Nawalparasi to Gulmi met with an accident and fell 250 meters below the road, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Hom Prakash Chaudhary of the District Police Office.
The deceased has been identified as 35-year-old Keshav Sunar. However, it is not yet certain whether the deceased was the driver of the vehicle or someone else. It is also not yet clear whether there other occupants in the vehicle.
DSP Chaudhary shared that further investigation into the incident is underway.
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06- Food Festival in Beni from today
Myagdi, Jan 14: A food festival and agricultural fair exhibition began in Beni, the district headquarters, on the occasion of Maghe Sankranti festival today.
The four-day event is organised by the Women’s Enterprise Development Committee under the Myagdi Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It is the 11th Maghe Sankranti Fair, Food Festival and Agricultural Exhibition organised by the Committee.
The festival has been organized with the objective of preserving and promoting local art and culture, food delicacies and attracting domestic and foreign tourists, identifying talents and thereby promoting the local economy, shared the committee’s Chair Ambika Shrestha.
The festival has 50 stalls of local entrepreneurs, farmers and industrial products, including food, painting, folk dance, exhibition of agricultural and livestock products, traditional games, along with a tableaux and musical performances by artists.
A competition for making children’s hats and incense sticks has been organized among women entrepreneurs.
The organizers have estimated that Rs. 2.125 million will be spent to run the festival.
The Magar community, which is a majority population in Myagdi, celebrates the Maghe and Sawan Sankranti festivals with special importance. The biggest festival of the minority Chhantyal community is also Maghe Sankranti.
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