Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has urged delegates to vote independently and in the party’s best interests.
Writing a post on his social media page as voting to elect the party gets underway on Friday morning, Thapa said lists of candidates being circulated in his name should not be interpreted as his official endorsement or recommendation.
“I want to make it clear that this is a healthy exercise in internal democracy. There are no panels or factions this time,” Thapa said, urging delegates not to be misled by rumors.
He called on convention delegates to vote based on their independent judgment, assessment and convictions, without being influenced or misled by any claims.
Thapa expressed confidence that wise decisions made by the delegates would take the party organization to new heights.
Voting for the new Central Working Committee began on Friday, a day later than scheduled, due to technical reasons.
Thapa has apologized for the inconvenience caused to convention delegates by the delay and urged them to participate in the democratic exercise in a dignified, restrained and enthusiastic manner.
A total of 7,255 convention delegates are eligible to vote in the election to choose the party’s new leadership.
