FNCCI president to be elected through direct elections following unanimous statute amendment

KATHMANDU: The Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FNCCI) has made a significant change in its leadership election process. Moving away from the long-standing tradition, the FNCCI President will now be elected through direct elections. This historic decision was made following a unanimous amendment to the FNCCI’s statute by its executive committee today.

FNCCI President Chandra Prasad Dhakal announced that the executive committee had approved the statute amendment unanimously. This change will enable the FNCCI to select its President through direct elections, breaking away from the previous system where the Senior Vice President would automatically ascend to the presidency.

President Dhakal highlighted that despite various task forces and committees formed in the past to amend the statute similarly, achieving consensus had been challenging. Consequently, the arrangement for the Senior Vice President to automatically become the President had remained in place.

Dhakal, who had promised to amend the statute to facilitate the direct election of the President during the election period, expressed his satisfaction with the decision. He emphasized that this provision would allow capable individuals to directly run for the position of President, thereby ensuring that the most qualified candidates could compete for the leadership role.

The newly amended statute will take effect after the current Senior Vice President completes one more term as President. This means that the statute will be implemented following the end of the current Senior Vice President, Anjan Shrestha’s term. This transitional arrangement ensures a smooth shift from the old system to the new direct election process.

In addition to changing the presidential election process, the revised statute introduces a significant structural change within the FNCCI leadership. The statute now includes a provision for two Senior Vice Presidents instead of one. Furthermore, to promote gender inclusivity, the revised statute stipulates the addition of another female Vice President, doubling the current number of female Vice Presidents.

The FNCCI has indicated that the revised statute will be formally approved by a special general meeting of the FNCCI, scheduled to take place by the end of Mangsir (mid-December). This special general meeting will be crucial for ratifying the changes and setting the stage for the next phase of FNCCI leadership.

The move to direct elections is expected to enhance transparency and democratic practices within the FNCCI. It reflects a broader trend within organizations and institutions in Nepal to embrace more democratic and inclusive governance structures. The introduction of direct elections and additional Vice Presidents also aligns with global best practices in organizational leadership, ensuring that FNCCI remains at the forefront of progressive changes in Nepal’s business sector.

The decision has been met with positive reactions from various stakeholders within the FNCCI and the broader business community. Many see it as a step forward in fostering a more dynamic and competitive environment within the organization. It is anticipated that this change will encourage greater participation from a diverse range of candidates, ultimately benefiting the FNCCI and its mission to promote and support the business community in Nepal.

As the FNCCI prepares for this transition, all eyes will be on the upcoming special general meeting and the subsequent direct elections, which promise to bring a new era of leadership and governance to one of Nepal’s most influential business organizations.