The direct nomination of candidates for the upcoming House of Representatives elections to be held on March 21 is underway this Tuesday. According to the election schedule, the parties have also started the process of selecting candidates under the first-past-the-post system.

Earlier, the Election Commission had established the offices of the Chief Electoral Officer and Returning Officer in all constituencies on Magh 2. The Commission has also appealed to come with the necessary documents while registering their candidature. 

While registering their nomination papers, the candidates participating in the elections have been required to submit the following documents as per the Voters' Roll Act, 2073, the House of Representatives Member Election Act, 2074, the House of Representatives Member Election Regulations, 2074, the House of Representatives Member Election Guidelines, 2082 and the Election Code of Conduct, 2082: 

1. A copy of the candidate's Nepali citizenship certificate or a copy of the voter identity card.

2. Proof that the name is included in the final voter list of any rural municipality or municipality.

3. Proof that the candidate has resigned from the position held by the Government of Nepal, the Provincial Government or the local level and the organization owned or controlled by the Government of Nepal, the Provincial Government or the local level or receiving remuneration from the Government of Nepal, the Provincial Government or the local level at the time of filing his candidacy.

4. If the candidate nominates a candidate by appointing an election representative on his/her behalf, the form of appointing a representative as per Schedule-11 related to Section 24 of the Election Guidelines for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082.

5. When a person who has met the eligibility criteria under the prevailing law registers or gets his/her nomination paper registered, a nomination paper filled in and signed by one proposer and one seconder whose names are included in the final voter list of the same constituency as per Rule 8 of the Election Guidelines for Members of the House of Representatives, 2074.

6. If the candidate is nominated on behalf of a party, a formal letter of candidate nomination as per Schedule-7 of the Election Guidelines for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082, issued by the central executive committee of such party or an official of a similar committee authorized to issue a formal letter of candidate nomination. However, in the case of parties participating in the election jointly by taking a single election symbol, a formal letter of candidate nomination as per Schedule-8 of the Election Guidelines for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082.

7. For candidates for the election of members of the House of Representatives, a receipt or voucher for depositing Rs 10,000 at the office of the concerned election officer. However, in the case of women, Dalits, minority communities or economically disadvantaged candidates, there will be a 50 percent discount on the deposit amount (in the case of economically disadvantaged candidates, a letter recommended by the concerned local level as economically disadvantaged).

8. A self-declaration letter as per Schedule-6 of Section 18 of the Election Directive for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082.

9. A sealed property statement as per Schedule-9 of Section 21 of the Election Directive for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082, stating all details of movable and immovable properties, accounts held in banks and financial institutions, securities, shares, debentures, and loans given or taken by anyone, submitted by the candidate in the format as per Schedule-10 of Section 22 of the Election Directive for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082.

10. A personal statement form filled by the candidate as per Schedule-10 of Section 22 of the Election Directive for Members of the House of Representatives, 2082.

11. If the candidate has received any kind of payment from the body to which he/she was elected, nominated or appointed, proof of the settlement of that payment.