Eleven NAFEA executive committee members, who had resigned en masse earlier this month citing disagreements with Chairman Hansa Raj Wagle, had lodged a complaint at the local administration seeking dissolution of the existing committee.

The DAO has also asked the establishment to involve the dissident faction in election.

“As it now looks inappropriate to hold the general convention on February 27 as previously scheduled, the concerned stakeholders are requested to hold election by March 29,” the DAO said in a statement on Wednesday.

 Former second vice-chairman of NAFEA Kumud Khanal, who leads the dissident faction, said the DAO's timely decision has opened way for leadership change through free and fair election. “Hopefully, the establishment will set date for general convention after consulting with the Nepal Democratic Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Progressive Foreign Employment Entrepreneurs Forum and Nepal Foreign Employment Tamudhi as directed by the DAO,” said Khanal.

The dissident faction had quit, accusing Chairman Wagle of working against the interests of recruiting agencies and migrant workers. They claim that Wagle abused his authority by supporting VLN Nepal, an agent providing visa processing duty at the Malaysian Embassy in Kathmandu, and controversial biometric system. The biometric system was suspended by the Malaysian government two weeks into its operation in January. Visa processing fee has shot up from Rs 700 to Rs 3,900 after VLN started processing visa.

Wagle, who took charge of NAFEA following the ouster of Bal Bahadur Tamang through a no-confidence motion, has been accused of deliberately delaying the election and the general convention. NAFEA has not held its election since it elected Tamang in April 2012.

Sources said that Wagle was trying to put off the election until he is sure of a win. Several individuals, including Wagle and former office bearer Prem Katuwal, are aspiring to contest the election. Tamang said there preparations are on to nominate a suitable individual based on consensus.

Many are attracted to the NAFEA leadership because of exposure, business opportunities and political connections that come along with it.