August 20: A committee formed by the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has recommended three modalities for the election of the umbrella organisations of business entrepreneurs and industrialists of Nepal.  

The committee on Wednesday (August 19) provided its suggestions to the FNCCI, which has been struggling to hold its general convention amid crisis created by coronavirus pandemic.

One of the options given by the committee is to hold all three levels of election in the capital after the risk of coronavirus subsides. Other options include main election and election of associates in Kathmandu and the district/town election in the respective districts by maintaining physical distance while the third option is to hold election through electronic means.

The committee prepared the three modalities after consulting with the Ministry of Health and Population and the Covid-19 Crisis Management Centre (CCMC).

“Now it is up to the executive committee of FNCCI to select the modality and date of election,” said Ranjit Acharya, a member of FNCCI.

“The decision will be taken by the next meeting of executive committee,” he added.

Although the FNCCI had fixed the date of its General Assembly to elect a new executive committee for April 10-11, the election could not be held due to the lockdown imposed by the government as well as the risk of coronavirus infection. The date of the General Assembly has been deferred time and again.

The FNCCI leadership is under pressure to hold the election as soon as possible.

The FNCCI members are divided over whether to hold the election after the risk of Covid-19 subsides or to go ahead for the polls by maintaining physical distancing.