Nepalese local elections that are being held today, May 13, 2022 AD (Baisakh 30, 2079 BS), in 6 metropolitan cities, 11 sub-metropolitan cities, 276 municipalities, and 460 rural municipalities will be the second local level election to be held since the promulgation of the new constitution. The voters can cast votes to choose The Mayor and The Deputy Mayor, Ward Chairperson, and the Ward Members. A single ballot is used for voting and the First past the post electoral system is used to select the winner. The Election Commission Nepal (ECN) estimates that about 200,000 more young Nepalis who are 18 or just turned 18 will cast ballots at today’s Local Elections.

What Power Will the Mayor Hold?

The Mayor, as the head of the city, has executive, legislative, and judiciary power while Deputy-Mayor will have a partial role in the decision-making.  The mayor who withholds 95 percent of the power held by the Metropolitan Cities will officially speak for both the government and the municipality as a whole.

Mayoral Candidates of Kathmandu Metropolitan City

There are 11 local units in Kathmandu: one metropolis and 10 municipalities. It is estimated that the mayor of Kathmandu will need at least 100,000 votes to win the election.

1. Nepali Congress: Srijana Singh, The Former Chairperson of Nepal Woman Association
2. Independent: Balendra Shah, A Rapper (Musician), Structural Engineer
3. CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist): Keshav Sthapit, The Former Mayor of Kathmandu, Member of Provincial Assembly, Minister for Physical Infrastructure Development for Bagmati Province.
4. Rastriya Prajatantra Party: Madan Das Shrestha, an Actor.
5. Bibeksheel Sajha Party: Samikshya Baskota, An Advocate and CEO of The Baskota Group.
6. Independent: Suman Sayami, A Social Activist
7. Independent: Sushil Thapa, A Health Technology Assessment Analyst

Deputy-Mayoral Candidates of Kathmandu Metropolitan City

1. CPN (Unified Marxist-Leninist): Sunita Dongol, Former Miss Newa, The Newar heritage conversation activist.
2. CPN (Unified Socialist): Rameshwar Shrestha
3. Bibeksheel Sajha Party: Kriti Tuladhar, Former Chairperson of Nepal Jaycees.
4. Independent: Bidya Shrestha Maharjan, A Social Activist, A Teacher.

References:

• Kathmandu Post
• Kathmandu Municipal Election