The schedule has already been hit as the party spent time electing team leaders that conduct group discussions on the party’s political report, statute and organisational reports in the closed session. It took a whole day to elect group leaders, who have started studying the reports presented at the convention. Leaders say the process is likely to take another day.

Only 10 of the 19 groups presented their views on the dossiers presented by around a dozen UML central bodies.

“It seems presentations on the report will take one more day, which means the election may be held only after Wed-nesday,” said election panel chief Somnath Pyasi.

The central presidium will formally decide over the vote after top leaders respond to the questions raised by the groups. As per the calendar, voting was supposed to start on Monday evening, while the convention was to conclude by July 9. Party spokesman Pradeep Gyawali said they already lag behind the schedule and the convention is sure to be delayed. The party decided not to use EVMs due to a factional dispute, which delayed the election process.

After the Madhav Kumar Nepal faction questioned the credibility of the machines, top leaders and the election panel agreed to opt for ballot papers to elect the leadership.

“Since one side is not convinced of electronic voting, the party revoked its decision to use EVMs,” said Raghuji Panta. The KP Oli faction, which was adamant about using the EVMs, backtracked at the call of party Chairman Jhala Nath Khanal and the election panel. Bidhya Bhandari, close to Oli, said her panel also agreed to go for ballot papers as the Nepal faction expressed reservations. Gyawali said it already delays the meet by four to five days.

Former PM Nepal and Parliamentary Party leader Oli, who are running for chairmanship, are preparing to announce their panels.

The 2009 Butwal convention lasted 10 days, against the planned six.