Kathmandu, Jan. 31 -- Nepal's Constitution and election laws clearly prohibit citizens holding foreign permanent residency (PR) or green cards from contesting elections, with severe consequences if such status is concealed, election officials and legal provisions indicate.

Article 87 of the Constitution of Nepal, 2015, sets five basic qualifications to be a candidate: Nepali citizenship, a minimum age of 25, no conviction for crimes involving moral turpitude, no disqualification under federal law, and not holding an office of profit. Article 291 further bars Nepali citizens with foreign permanent residency from being elected, nominated or appointed to constitutional posts unless they have relinquished such status at least three months pr...