The Election Officer's office on Tuesday disqualified the candidacy of Resham Lal Chaudhary, patron of Nagarik Unmukti Party (NUP), for the upcoming House of Representatives election in Kailali-1.
The decision follows a formal complaint citing legal barriers despite Chaudhary’s recent presidential pardon. Devraj Bharti, the Election Officer for Kailali-1, explained that the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2017, explicitly bars individuals convicted of certain criminal offenses from running.
"Section 13 of the Act clearly states that individuals sentenced to life imprisonment for criminal cases are ineligible to be candidates," Bharti said.
Chaudhary was previously convicted by the district, high, and supreme courts for masterminding the 2015 Tikapur massacre, which resulted in the deaths of eight security personnel and one minor. Although he was released from Dilli Bazaar Prison following a pardon on Republic Day, legal experts clarify that a pardon does not equate to an acquittal or the fulfillment of a sentence under election law.
The disqualification is a significant blow to Nagarik Unmukti Party, which holds strong influence in Sudurpaschim Province. While Chaudhary may appeal to the Supreme Court, legal analysts suggest a reversal is unlikely given existing precedents and the strict provisions of the Election Act.
.
