Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has begun preparations for by-elections to fill vacant seats in federal, provincial, and local governments. The EC has proposed to the government to hold by-elections in April.
Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya on Sunday held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defense Purna Bahadur Khadka about the need to fill vacant seats. In the meeting, Thapaliya told Deputy Prime Minister Khadka that a by-election should be held to fill Ilam-2 constituency of the House of Representatives and 24 other positions in provincial and local governments.
“I held discussions with Deputy Prime Minister Khadka to know whether the government is prepared to fill the vacant posts. I found the government positive about filling the vacant post at the earliest,” Thapaliya said after the meeting. “The EC has begun preparations accordingly.”
Thapaliya also said EC officials will meet Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal next week and propose to him the date to hold the by-polls. “Before that, we are preparing to hold discussions with representatives of different political parties,” he added.
Of the 25 positions, 15 were elected from the Nepali Congress, five from CPN-UML, four from CPN (Maoist Center), and one Independent candidate.
Vacant Positions:
Member, House of Representatives – 1
Member, Provincial Assembly – 1
Chairperson, District Coordination Committee – 2
Deputy Mayor – 1
Rural Municipality Chair – 1
Rural Municipality Deputy Chairperson – 2
Ward Chairperson – 17
