KATHMANDU: Ram Chandra Poudel, a prominent member of the Nepali Congress, was chosen as the country's third president on Thursday. March 9, 2023.

Poudel, who had the support of nine political parties and the backing of the ruling alliance, defeated senior communist leader Subash Chandra Nembang, who had just the support of the CPN-UML.

33,802 electoral college votes went to Poudel. The Election Commission of Nepal reports that 352 provincial lawmakers and 214 federal lawmakers cast ballots in favour of Poudel.

Nembang, another contender, received 15,518 votes in the electoral college. Up to 162 provincial and 96 federal lawmakers supported him. Poudel, 79, a seasoned democratic politician who served as deputy prime minister and former speaker, has been involved in politics for more than 60 years.

After the nation's 2008 republican transition, Nepal has had three presidential elections.

On March 12, outgoing President Bidhya Devi Bhandari's term comes to an end.

Shaligram, the spokesperson of the Election Commission, announced thaty 518 Provincial Assembly members and 313 Members of the Federal Parliament cast their votes in the presidential election.

Notably, this is the third presidential election in Nepal since the country became a republic in 2008.

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