The newly formed Sajha Party has called on its supporters and well-wishers to file their candidacy as independent candidates in the upcoming local level elections slated for May 14.

“We call on all Nepalis who espouse our party’s ideals and values to file their candidacy as independent candidates for various positions of local entities in the upcoming local level elections and to form units and committees on behalf of the party,” read a press statement issued by the party on Tuesday.

The party, coordinated by former head of the BBC Nepali service and notable philanthropist Rabindra Mishra, made such announcement as the Election Commission (EC) has already halted the registration process due to the fast-approaching date of local level elections. As of now, the party has not been registered with the EC and therefore is unable to institutionally participate in the local election.

The party has urged the people willing to file their candidacy as independent candidates not to compromise with their qualifications required for assuming the responsibility. The party has also called for inclusive representation.

According to the statement, the party would provide support to the independent candidate willing to participate in the election for any post in local elections by embracing party’s ideologies.

Furthermore, the party has said that it cannot allow the people filing candidacy by acknowledging the party’s beliefs to use party election symbol and raise fund for election campaign on the party’s name as it has not been registered officially.