Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Constitutional Council has recommended the appointment of Man Bahadur Karki of Morang as the Chief Election Commissioner.
A meeting of the council held on Friday made the decision, according to Deputy Speaker Ruby Kumari.
Karki is currently serving as a Supreme Court registrar.
The position has been lying vacant since Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya completed his term in April last year. The Election Commission (EC) has been led by senior-most Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari as Acting Chief Election Commissioner since Thapaliya’s retirement.
The meeting also recommended Dr Rajiv Subba of Kathmandu and Guru Prasad Wagle of Sankhuwasabha for appointment as Election Commissioners. Dr Subba has been named for one existing vacant position, and Wagle for another position that is becoming vacant on July 7. The President will now appoint them to the vacant positions after their recommendations are endorsed after parliamentary hearing.
Dr Subba is a former Deputy Inspector General of Nepal Police, while Wagle recently retired from the Election Commission.
As per Article 245 of the Constitution of Nepal, the President appoints the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council.
The Constitutional Council, chaired by the Prime Minister, includes the Chief Justice, the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chairperson of the National Assembly and the leader of the main opposition in the House of Representatives as members.
