Kathmandu, Dec 16: Nirmala Sharma has been elected as the President of the Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ), the first woman to lead one of the largest social organization in Nepal. According to the results published late Sunday by the FNJ Central Election Committee, Sharma secured 4,282 votes to claim victory.
Her closest contender, Ramesh Bista, received 3,203 votes, while other candidates Devi Prasad Sapkota and Lal Singh Lama managed 270 and 96 votes, respectively.
Nirmala Sharma was backed by two largest groups of journalists – Press Chautari (CPN UML affiliated) and Press Union (Nepali Congress affiliated) while Ramesh Bista was backed by Press Centre (CPN Maoist Centre affiliated) and smaller other groups.
Key Positions and Winners:
- Senior Vice-President:
Deepak Acharya won with 4,230 votes, defeating Roshan Puri, who garnered 2,886 votes. - Vice-President (Women):
Nitu Pandit secured 4,705 votes, while Ganga Poudel Baral received 2,644 votes. - Vice-President (Inclusive):
Umid Prasad Bagchand won with 4,292 votes, defeating Subhash Prasad Sah with 2,080 votes. - General Secretary:
Ram Prasad Dahal was elected with 4,084 votes, surpassing his closest rival Lekhnath Neupane, who received 1,929 votes. - Secretary (Open):
Ramesh Khatiwada won with 3,400 votes. - Secretary (Women):
Soni Sharma secured victory with 4,347 votes. - Secretary (Janajati):
Sabin Priyasan won with 3,535 votes. - Secretary (Madhesi):
Ashok Kumar Tiwari emerged victorious with 3,858 votes. - Secretary (Dalit):
Prakash Dhaurakoti secured 4,110 votes. - Treasurer:
Ram Krishna Adhikari won with 3,847 votes.
Provincial Representation:
- Province Representatives:
- Koshi Province: Kamal Rimal (527 votes) and Shankar Kharel (442 votes).
- Madhesh Province: Raju Bishwakarma (297 votes) and Rajesh Kumar Karna (376 votes).
- Bagmati Province: Nawaraj Pathik (368 votes) and Narayan Prasad Adhikari (450 votes).
- Gandaki Province: Krishna KC (330 votes) and KB Rana (381 votes).
- Lumbini Province: Ram Raj Pokhrel (560 votes) and Bikash Banjade (473 votes).
- Karnali Province: Tularam Pandey (288 votes) and Nagendra Prasad Upadhyay (321 votes).
- Sudurpaschim Province: Yogendra Bahadur Balayar (397 votes) and Suresh Pant (300 votes).
- Valley Members:
Arjun Pant (459 votes) and Surya Subedi (668 votes).
Special Categories:
- Madhesi Women: Rubi Kumari Raut secured 4,185 votes.
- Janajati Women: Mala Palungwa won with 3,737 votes.
- Khas Arya Women: Lila Shah Yogi garnered 3,810 votes.
- Dalit Representatives:
- CK Paswan: 3,316 votes.
- Savitri Rasaili was elected unopposed.
- Janajati Representative: Bharat Jarga Magar secured 4,050 votes.
- Janajati Women: Devika Gharti Magar was elected unopposed.
- Madhesi Member: Rajkaran Mahato won with 3,893 votes.
- Madhesi Women: Lalita Kumari Sah secured 4,409 votes.
- Disability Representative: Bhupraj Basyal won with 3,557 votes.
- Minority Representative: Laxman Thami secured 4,373 votes.
Accounts Committee:
- Coordinator: KC Lamichhane won with 4,194 votes.
- Members:
- Open: Keshav Prasad Bohora (4,125 votes).
- Women: Rukmini Pokhrel (4,089 votes).
