KATHMANDU:- The Election Commission has begun studying the ongoing dispute regarding the leadership of the Nepali Congress.

Officials, including Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, have held informal discussions with other commissioners and staff to decide on the matter, said EC’s Joint Spokesperson Kul GC. The EC started studying the issue after the Gagan Thapa-led leadership, elected through a special general convention held Wednesday night, submitted an application to the Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday to update the party’s official records.

Earlier, the faction led by Sher Bahadur Deuba had submitted a petition claiming that the no special convention of the party was held, said GC.

Commenting on the request of both the groups, GC said the Commission has begun studying the issue by reviewing the party’s statute, past precedents and relevant legal provisions.

The proportionate representation (PR) nominations for the upcoming House of Representatives election, slated for March 5, have already been submitted, while direct election nominations are slated for January 20.

GC said the Commission has begun a priority review process following the submission of documents related to the split in the Nepali Congress.

“The determination of a party’s legitimacy is governed primarily by the Political Parties Act, other applicable election-related laws and the concerned party’s statute,” he said. “Once the commissioners convene formally, necessary legal consultations will be undertaken and if required, a single or a full bench sitting may be held,” he added.

When asked whether the split in the Nepali Congress would affect the upcoming election, GC said, “The internal matters of the party will not affect the election schedule. If they did, it would set an incorrect precedent.”

The Commission has confirmed that while the dates for filing nominations under the direct electoral system are approaching, the overall election schedule will remain unaffected.

“If election timelines are altered due to factional conflicts within political parties, it would create a wrong precedent, raising questions about which parties should be heard and which should not,” he said.

“Elections must be conducted within the fixed timeframe.

Any unnecessary delay could invite further political manoeuvring,”  said GC.

He further said the Commission is expected to reach a decision within a few days. “Our objective is to ensure legal clarity without compromising electoral integrity or democratic stability,” he concluded.