KATHMANDU: The final hour of the withdrawal window on Friday saw high-profile exits linked to foreign residency status.

In Dhading-1, Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) candidate Ashika Tamang notified Election Officer Ekraj Adhikari of her voluntary withdrawal via phone and email.

Tamang’s move followed the public circulation of a photograph of her German Permanent Resident (PR) card. Although she cited Section 25 (1) of the House of Representatives Election Act for her exit, she maintained the decision was not due to the controversy.

Similarly, in Rupandehi-2, RPP candidate Karvika Thapa retracted her nomination, citing legal hurdles.

Thapa clarified that while she had surrendered her foreign residency, she had not yet met the three-month waiting period mandated by Article 291 of the Constitution of Nepal.

Both cases highlight the Election Commission’s strict enforcement of eligibility criteria regarding dual residency as the nation heads toward the March 5 polls