JSP leader Yadav elected Vice President of Nepal

KATHMANDU: Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP) Nepal's parliamentary party leader and former minister Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav has been elected the Vice President of Nepal. In the voting held today, Yadav was elected by defeating Asta Laxmi Shakya of CPN (UML) and Mamata Jha of the Janamat Party. The three were in the race for the Vice-Presidential election. Yadav had received support from the Nepali Congress, CPN (Maoist Centre), CPN (Unified Socialist) including the ruling alliance in the election for the third Vice–President. A total of 311 federal lawmakers and 518 Province Assembly members took part in the voting that began at 10:00 am today and concluded at 3:00 pm. The number of voters was 332 from the Federal Parliament and 550 from the Province level in the Vice-President’s election. The voting weightage of a Federal Parliament member is 79 followed by 48 for a PA member. The polling centre for the election was set up at the Federal Parliament Building in New Baneshwor. According to the Constitution, the Vice President functions as the President during the latter’s absence. The term of the Vice President is five years from the date on which he or she is elected.