Kathmandu. Badri KC’s election announcement as the elected president from the 11th Convention of the Non-Resident Nepali Association has been challenged by rival candidates RK Sharma and Mahesh Shrestha. They allege irregularities in the election, claiming that they have manipulated the online voting system.

After the announcement of Dr. Keshav Paudel’s Kathmandu, zero votes were shown, and the candidates expressed concerns about the election results. They expressed frustration at the announcement that they could not vote for themselves.

The defeated candidates have accused a system hack and refuse to accept the election results, while supporters have protested vehemently. In the online system called ‘Bhero,’ KC has been accused of influencing the results by creating a commotion, as claimed by Chairman RK Sharma and Mahesh Shrestha. They have indicated that they will go through legal processes now.

In the 11th World Convention and the subsequent election held at Hotel Soaltee in the capital, KC, Shrestha, and Sharma were in the electoral arena. Even though Raveena Thapa also provided her candidacy for the position of president, she later withdrew her candidacy and supported Shrestha.

In the election, Badri KC announced his victory with 1378 votes. Similarly, RK Sharma received 1281, and Mahesh Shrestha obtained 1225 votes, as declared by the Election Committee. Sharma and Shrestha do not accept the election results along with KC.

Addressing the voters, competitor Shrestha stated, “This election needs to be canceled, and it is not just about that; there needs to be a thorough investigation, and the guilty must face severe consequences.” Shrestha further explained that the new election committee should be formed after dismantling the elected one.

Another candidate, RK Sharma, mentioned that after he raised the issue of irregularities in the NRN Association, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs intervened, and he is ready to advance. He also mentioned the manipulation of the online voting system.

Despite being declared the winner, Kshagendra Neupane, who became the Vice-chairman, refuses to accept the victory and claims that there were irregularities in the election. Dr. Badri KC served as the president of the NRN for two years. Before that, he was the vice-president and secretary-general. Ever since he became the secretary-general, there were allegations of misusing information technology for data theft and manipulation of data and election results in the convention and election. This time, two rival candidates accused Badri of manipulating the representative selection and online voting system. As the current chairman, Badri was primarily in control of the Convention and the election process.”

Which candidates secured how many votes in the (list) ?

In the direct and online voting that took place on Sunday, KC (Chairperson) has been elected, defeating other contestants RK Sharma and Mahesh Shrestha.

Dr. KC won with 1,378 votes, while Sharma received 1,281 votes, and Shrestha received 1,225 votes, as informed by the election committee.

The election for new leadership was held during the 11th World Conference of NRN in Hotel Soaltee, Kathmandu.

In the organization’s leadership, Dr. Hem Raj Sharma (2,265), Rovin Shrestha (2,180), Ramsharan Simkhada (1,552), Khagendra Nyupane (1,357), Raj Regmi (1,900), and Dr. Vinod Shrestha (1,560) were elected with their respective votes.

Similarly, in the position of female vice-chair, Rozina Pradhan won with 1,947 votes, while Yasmin Vegam Sayad won the same position with 1,914 votes.

In the position of youth vice-chair, Roshan Thapa won with 2,468 votes, and Abdul Basid secured 1,322 votes for the same position.

Gauriraj Joshi secured 2,037 votes to become the Secretary-General of the organization, while another contestant, Buddhi Suwedi, received 1,818 votes.

Similarly, in the position of Deputy Secretary-General, Som Sapkota (1,790) and Prabin Gurung (2,150) were elected with their respective votes.

Six Secretaries have been elected: Bhim KC, Kamal (1,673), Dr. Gyanendra Regmi (1,782), Manoj Kumar Shrestha (2,024), Dr. Navaraj Rosyara (1,853), Paramani Pokhrel (1,651), and Swatantra Pratap Shah (1,666).

For the position of female secretary, Tik Gurung and Radhika (2,320) were not successful, while Bimala Sapkota secured 1,539 votes for the same position.

Sudan Thapa secured 1,917 votes to become the Treasurer of the organization, and his rival, Thakur Prasad Dhungana, received 1,912 votes.

In the position of Deputy Treasurer, Krishna Prasad Timilsina (2,015), Abhimanyu Basnet (2,081), and Tilak Prasad Gaire (2,232) were elected with their respective votes.

Similarly, in the position of female Deputy Treasurer, Amrit Thapa won with 2,287 votes, while her rival Trishna Sharma received 1,522 votes.

In the role of International Women Coordinator, Anuja Pradhan secured 2,336 votes, and the same position was previously held by Devika Khatri Gurung with 1,524 votes.

In the position of Youth Coordinator, Supendra Ghising secured 2,036 votes, and the same position was previously held by Ravin Adhikari with 1,765 votes.”