After widespread criticism, several prominent candidates from the National Independent Party are now announcing their withdrawal of candidacy through social media.

However, just announcing it is not enough. The candidate concerned must apply to the commission for withdrawal of his name. Political parties, however, are not allowed to withdraw their names.

Last Monday, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) central member Araniko Pandey announced his removal from the closed list through Facebook. With him, the number of people withdrawing their names from the RSSS's closed list has reached 6. Earlier, identity activist Mahendra Lawati, actor Asif Shah, singer Trishala Gurung, businessman Sachin Dhakal and mountaineer Tashi Sherpa have already removed their names. Most of them seem to be announcing their withdrawal of their names through social media. 

According to the Election Commission, a public announcement by a candidate is not enough. After the candidate withdraws his name, the commission will inform the political party concerned on 29th Pus. The time limit for sending the name of another candidate for the vacant position is from 30th Pus to 2nd Magh. The commission will publish the list of names on 4th Magh.

The time given to contest the eligibility of candidates included in the closed list is from 5 to 10 Magh. The time for the Commission to investigate the contestation and complaint and take a decision is from 11 to 17 Magh. If someone's name has to be removed due to contestation, the Commission will publish a notice on 19 Magh and the closed list of candidates will be published in its final form on 20 Magh.

It has been found that the inclusive 'cluster' of people named in the closed list has not been matched, and names have not been included from the inclusive group as per the percentage of representation specified in the act. The Commission investigated the lists from 15 to 20 Pus and has given time from 21 to 27 Pus to correct the errors and submit them.

Similarly, the Commission has stated that errors such as the citizenship of the candidate and the omission of the voter list have been found. Documents such as approval letters and self-declarations on behalf of the candidates are not included in the closed list. Some parties have submitted lists by showing districts that are not in backward areas as backward areas, which should include at least one person with a disability, as well as not representing the specified number of backward areas.

The House of Representatives Election Act stipulates that the representation of Dalits, indigenous peoples, Khas Aryas, Madhesis, Tharus and Muslims shall be based on the principle of inclusion according to population. Political parties submitting closed lists by fielding candidates in only 110 seats under proportional representation according to population percentage must name 15 Dalits, 32 indigenous peoples, 33 Khas Aryas, 18 Madhesis, 7 Tharus and 5 people from the Muslim community.

Out of them, at least 57 should be women and 4 should be from backward areas. It has been said that people with disabilities should also be represented in it. The Commission has stated that the parties have not submitted their lists accordingly. 

According to the election program, 64 parties submitted their closed lists to the commission on December 13-14. 3,424 candidates have filed their candidacies for the 110 seats in the proportional representation. However, Yagya Prasad Bhattarai, Joint Secretary of the commission, said that all the parties made mistakes in the necessary documents and procedures prescribed by the act, rules and guidelines. "The same mistakes have been seen in the closed lists of most of them. We have informed the parties and asked them to correct the issues that are not in accordance with the procedure," he said. Bhattarai said that parties will not be allowed to correct the list arbitrarily except for the issues that are not in accordance with the procedure pointed out by the commission.