Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has issued directives regarding female candidates for the upcoming local body by-elections scheduled for December 1.
“The EC directs political parties registered for the by-election to submit nominations of female candidates, as per Section 67 of the Local Level Election Act, 2016,” the statement issued by the EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Sapkota said.
Section 17(4) of the Act mandates that 50% of candidates for positions of Chairperson and Vice-chairperson, Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and Chief and Deputy Chief of District Coordination Committees must be women.
“When submitting nomination papers under subsection (1), parties must ensure that 50% of candidates for positions of Chairperson and Vice-chairperson, Mayor and Deputy Mayor, and Chief and Deputy Chief of District Coordination Committees are women,” the Section 17(4) of the Act reads.
Twenty-five political parties have registered for the local level by-elections.
