KATHMANDU, Sept 8: The CPN-UML's second statute convention has concluded with unanimous approval of the reports presented by the party’s chairperson, vice-chairperson and general secretary.
The convention amended the party statute, reducing the number of central committee members and limiting the number of office bearers. UML also decided to create two categories of party membership, make training compulsory for candidacy, and abolish the 70-year age limit.
The convention, which began on Friday in Godawari, Lalitpur, unanimously endorsed the political report by Chair KP Sharma Oli, the statute amendment proposal by Vice Chair Bishnu Poudel, and the organisational report by General Secretary Shankar Pokharel. On Sunday, Oli tabled all three reports for final decision, which the delegates approved with applause.
UML also changed the colour of the sickle-hammer logo, a historic emblem of global communist parties. Replacing the white version used so far, the party will now use a golden sickle-hammer on a red background.
UML removes 70-year age limit, paving the way for Oli to hold t...
The convention reappointed Dr Bijay Subba as chief of the Election Commission, while Sanuraja Pokharel and Kunsang Lama were unanimously elected as vice-chair and secretary respectively. Closing the convention, Oli—also the Prime Minister—remarked that the CPN-UML is like “the wind-born Hanuman”, urging everyone to recognise it. He emphasised that UML is a party with a clear destination and no deviation.
As the forum for shaping the party’s procedures, the statute convention introduced several amendments. These included reducing the size of the central committee and office bearers, modifying party membership categories, and revising the powers of the chairperson. UML pledged to strengthen party unity and secure a majority under “Mission 084” (the 2027 general elections). Under the revised statute, the UML central committee will now have 251 members instead of 301, including 15 office bearers (reduced from 19).
Furthermore, the provision for a senior vice-chair has been removed and the number of vice-chairs reduced from six to three. The standing committee, previously 45 members, will now consist only of the 15 office bearers. The 99-member politburo will also be downsized, with its membership capped at one-third of the central committee and formed through elections.
The revised statute introduces two categories of membership: general member and organised member. Both require adherence to UML’s ideology and policies, as well as payment of membership fees. General membership will have a six-month probationary period, after which individuals must work within party committees. Organised members must be affiliated with a committee.
UML has also expanded its central organs from seven to eight, including the National Convention, Policy Convention, National Convention Representative Council, Central Committee, Central Discipline Commission, Central Audit Commission, Central Election Commission and Central Advisory Council. The politburo and standing committee will now function under the central committee.
The chairperson’s authority has been expanded to include presiding over central organs, presenting political reports, directing the general secretary to convene meetings, approving agendas, authenticating decisions, and issuing inter-party directives. The Secretariat and Central Office, once powerful structures, have been abolished, with their functions to be carried out by the general secretary under the chairperson’s direction.
To stand for any committee or leadership post, candidates must now attend training organised by the party’s School Department. However, this requirement will not apply to those seeking re-election to their current positions.
The provision barring members above 70 years of age from being elected has also been removed, clearing the way for Oli to potentially serve a third term as chairperson. This rule, introduced in the first statute convention but suspended by the central committee in 2023, has now been officially scrapped.
The convention further granted the Capital Special Committee, covering the three districts of Kathmandu Valley, the same status as a provincial committee. Four tiers of structures were formalised: tole/primary committees, ward/branch committees, municipal/area committees and district committees.
Municipal committees will have 75 members, sub-metropolitan committees 85, and metropolitan committees 101. Ward committees will have 31–51 members, and tole committees 21. Each provincial committee must have at least one female office bearer.
The statute now requires central committee meetings every six months, provincial committees every four months, district committees every three months, municipal committees every two months, and ward committees monthly.
