The Constituent Assembly of Nepal failed to elect the First President of the country (on 19th July), who is to perform most of the ceremonial duties earlier done by the King, according to a PTI release.
After three political parties joined hands against the Maoist, it was a straight contest between candidate Ram Baran Yadav of Nepali Congress (NC) who secured 294 votes, just four votes short of the minimum required, against Maoist sponsored candidate of Nava Janawadi Morcha, Ramraja Prasad Singh who got 282 votes.
In the General elections held on 10th April this year, Maoists were the single largest group winning 220 seats followed by Nepali Congress (110), Communist Party of Nepal- United Marxist-Leninist (103) and Madhesi Peoples Right Forum (86).
Technically NC candidate should have won getting 299 votes, but for some abstentions. However the Madhesi Peoples Right Forum candidate Paramanand Jha was elected as the first vice-president of the country by getting 312 votes in a 594-member house. A total of 578 members voted with 16 abstentions.
As per the understanding reached between Maoist and Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist-Leninist, Maoist chief, Pusp Kumar Dahal popularly known by ‘Prachanda’ is likely to take over as country’s first premier after the president’s election. Re-poll date for presidential election is yet to be announced.