Parliamentary Hearing Committee Rejects Krishnaman Pradhan’s Nomination as Election Commissioner

The Federal Parliament’s Parliamentary Hearing Committee has rejected the recommendation to appoint Krishnaman Pradhan as the Election Commissioner. Pradhan’s nomination faced widespread criticism following four complaints of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault, filed against him. During the hearing, committee members sought an explanation from Pradhan regarding these allegations.

Before today’s committee meeting, Pradhan had submitted a communiqué withdrawing his candidacy for the position. Committee member Mahesh Kumar Bartaila stated that the committee’s decision to reject Pradhan’s nomination was based on this communiqué.

The Constitutional Council, chaired by then Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda,’ had initially proposed Pradhan’s name. Pradhan, the former Executive Director of Nepal Law Society, was recommended for the position and sent to the Federal Parliament Secretariat for a parliamentary hearing.