The 11th General Convention (Mahadhiveshan) of the Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist-Leninist (CPN-UML), one of Nepal’s major political parties, is currently underway at Bhrikutimandap in Kathmandu. The convention, which began on Saturday (Mangsir 29, 2082 BS, or December 14, 2025), has entered its election phase, with voting for new leadership starting on Wednesday, Pus 2, 2082 BS (December 18, 2025). This marks a significant internal contest, as incumbent Chairman KP Sharma Oli faces a challenge from Senior Vice-Chairman Ishwor Pokhrel for the top position. Both leaders have fielded full panels of candidates, turning the election into a high-stakes showdown between two factions within the party. The event involves electing 1 Chairman, 5 Vice-Chairmen, 1 General Secretary, 3 Deputy General Secretaries, 9 Secretaries, and 301 Central Committee members from among 2,263 delegates.

KP Sharma Oli, a veteran politician and former Prime Minister of Nepal, is seeking a third consecutive term as Chairman, aiming for a “hat-trick” in party leadership. Ishwor Pokhrel, also a former Deputy Prime Minister and long-time UML leader, is making his debut bid for the chairmanship, positioning himself as an alternative to Oli’s dominance. The contest has highlighted internal divisions, with some leaders switching sides at the last minute and independent candidates adding to the mix.

UML 11th Convention: Here’s how the Oli and Pokhrel panels currently look « Khabarhub

Voting Process and Timeline

• Delegates and Eligibility: A total of 2,262 delegates, selected from across Nepal, are participating in the voting. Each delegate must present identification to vote.
• Voting Method: The party is using electronic voting machines (EVMs) provided by Ram Laxman Innovation Pvt. Ltd., with 80 machines deployed at the venue. This is the same system used in previous UML conventions. Voting takes approximately 35-40 minutes per delegate due to the large number of positions and candidates.
• Schedule: Originally planned for Tuesday evening (Pus 1), voting was delayed due to technical issues and rescheduled for Wednesday morning at 8 AM. However, it started slightly later after Oli arrived at the venue. The location was shifted from a rented hall to the closed-session site because the original hall was pre-booked by another party.
• Process Start: Voting officially began after both Oli and Pokhrel cast their votes—Oli using machine No. 77 and Pokhrel using No. 76. Delegates lined up early in the morning, and candidates were seen campaigning on-site.
• Counting and Results: As an electronic system, vote counting will begin immediately after voting ends, with results expected within 2 hours. Technical lead Laxman Rimal confirmed the machines are fully prepared and data-entered.

As of the latest updates, voting is ongoing, with delegates continuing to arrive and participate. No results have been announced yet, but the outcome could reshape the party’s direction amid Nepal’s volatile political landscape.

Candidate Panels

Both Oli and Pokhrel have assembled panels to contest across all major positions, though some candidates are running independently. Below is a breakdown of their panels based on finalized lists. Note that the provided user text and sources list additional independent candidates for various roles, but the panels focus on core endorsements.

KP Sharma Oli’s Panel

Oli’s panel emphasizes continuity and includes many of his trusted allies from previous terms. It totals 19 office-bearers, focusing on experienced leaders to maintain party stability.

Ishwor Pokhrel’s Panel

Pokhrel’s panel is strategically focused on winning key officer positions and includes a mix of established and emerging figures. It reflects an effort to appeal to delegates seeking change within the party.

Independent and Additional Candidates

Beyond the panels, several leaders are contesting independently or across factions, as noted in the user-provided text:

• General Secretary: None additional mentioned beyond the panels.
• Deputy General Secretaries: Rajendra Prasad Gautam, Vishnu Rimal (note overlap with Oli’s panel).
• Secretaries: Pemba Lama, Lal Babu Pandit, Vinod Dhakal (overlap), etc. A total of 603 candidates are vying for 301 central committee spots, intensifying the competition.

Background and Implications

The convention has been marked by intense lobbying, with candidates actively seeking votes even during the voting process. Oli’s bid for re-election comes amid criticisms of his leadership style, while Pokhrel positions himself as a unifying alternative. The outcome could influence UML’s strategy in national politics, especially with Nepal’s coalition government dynamics. If Oli wins, it solidifies his control; a Pokhrel victory would signal a shift toward broader internal democracy.

This compilation is based on real-time reports from the ongoing event, with voting expected to conclude soon. For the latest results, monitoring Nepali news sources is recommended.