Voting underway to elect FNJ’s new leadership

KATHMANDU : The Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) is all set to elect new leadership in its all chapters, province committees and the central committee. FNJ has adopted the first-ever direct voting system to elect its central committee leadership. Voting is underway in all chapters across the country.

A total of 13,122 members are voting for new leadership in the central committee, province committees, district chapters, institutions (Pratishthan) and associates committees. Voting will take place from 9AM to 5PM today. Vote count will begin on Wednesday.

According to coordinator of FNJ Central Election Committee, Kapil Kafle, vote results of all levels will be announced on April 8 if there is no obstruction anywhere.

Voting is taking place in 97 booths, including in 77 district chapters. Voting of 42 Pratishthan chapters is taking place in 19 different booths while voting for associate members is taking place at the Dasharath Stadium.

Though new leadership has been elected unopposed in some chapters and Pratishthans, the winners will be declared today. The election will elect more than 3,000 office-bearers and members consisting of over 33 percent women in the committees, Kafle informed. The FNJ has adopted an inclusive system in all its structures.

As many as 152 candidates have filed candidacies for 49 posts in the central committee. Bipul Pokharel, Nirmala Sharma and Gajendra Budhathoki have registered their candidacy for FNJ president.

FNJ holds its election every three years for picking news leadership in its all committees. All the members are directly voting for leadership in all the committees this time.

In line with the federal set up, FNJ has developed its province committees and councils. FNJ has 10 province committees and councils. It has 77 district chapters, 42 Pratishthan chapters, 11 associate members, nine foreign chapters, 10 province council, 10 province committee and central council and central committee.

FNJ is the umbrella organization of all Nepali journalists. Established as an Association of Nepali Journalists some 65 years ago on Chaitra 16, 2012 B.S. The FNJ has been at the forefront of the movement for freedom of expression, press freedom and democracy. The Association was transformed into the Federation on Jestha 29, 2053 BS.