Law draws red line on PR, green card holders in elections
Summary
Nepal's Constitution and election laws bar citizens with foreign permanent residency or green cards from contesting elections, with severe consequences for concealment. Several candidates have faced scrutiny or withdrawal over PR status ahead of the March 5 election.
Key Points
- Nepal's Constitution prohibits citizens holding foreign permanent residency or green cards from contesting elections.
- Article 291 mandates relinquishing foreign PR at least three months before nomination for constitutional posts.
- Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate Ashika Tamang denied allegations of holding foreign PR and reported fraudulent activities.
- Rastriya Prajatantra Party candidate Karvika Thapa withdrew for failing to meet the three-month cooling-off period after relinquishing PR.
- Legal provisions require cancellation of a nomination if foreign PR status is concealed, with possible criminal and parliamentary consequences.
