Nepal

Nepal assembly deadlocked on president choice

Article published on the 2008-07-19 Latest update 2008-07-19 14:40 TU

MPs in Nepal check their names before voting
(Credit: Reuters)

Nepal's assembly failed to elect the country's first president on Saturday as no candidate garnered the 298 votes necessary, state media reported. The vote was aimed at braking a deadlock between the three main parties after the 240-year-old monarchy was sacked in May. The 594 lawmakers are convening to select from one of three candidates promoted by the three main political parties. A simple majority of 298 is needed for a presidential candidate to win.

The leading candidate, Ram Baram Yadav, was four votes short of the majority needed to take the largely ceremonial presidency.

Yadav and the other two candidates come from the restive Terai area bordering India. The region has been the site of deadly clashes by separatists who wish to form their own state.

The Maoists, who have a lot of power in the newly-republican country, do not have a majority in the assembly. They put forward republican Ramraja Prasad Singh, who gained 282 votes.

He was arrested 20 years ago for throwing small bombs at the palace and parliament in an anti-royal protest.

Electing a president is the next step in forming a government.