Mayor Balen Shah Resigns: Implications for By-Election in Kathmandu

KATHMANDU — Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah has resigned with about 15 months remaining in his term, raising questions about whether a by-election will be held for the remaining period.

Balen Shah, who recently joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (Raswapa) as a senior leader, submitted his resignation before entering the party office ‘Ghantighar’ for the first time today.

According to the Local Level Election Act, if a mayor or other elected representative vacates their post for any reason, a by-election is usually conducted for the remaining term. However, the law also states that if the remaining tenure is less than one year, a by-election is not required.

In the case of Kathmandu, since more than a year remains in the mayoral term, the law does not prevent holding a by-election.

The government in office at the time of the announcement must coordinate with the Election Commission to set the election date. An official from the commission explained that the number of positions requiring by-elections will first be assessed before the government decides the schedule.

Until the election is held and a new mayor is elected, the Deputy Mayor serves as acting mayor. Following Balen Shah’s resignation, Deputy Mayor Sunita Dangol, elected from Nepali Congress, has automatically assumed the role of acting mayor.

Balen Shah, who had originally won the Kathmandu mayoral post as an independent candidate, resigned to contest the House of Representatives election on Magh 21 under Raswapa. He officially submitted his resignation to Deputy Mayor Dangol, effective immediately from Sunday.