Nepal, June 20 -- In a political twist that has raised eyebrows, the Election Commission (EC) has confirmed that Dr Mukul Dhakal is still officially listed as the General Secretary and Spokesperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP)-despite the party having expelled him months ago.

Dr Dhakal, who was unceremoniously removed from all party responsibilities and later ousted from the party itself, had recently written to the EC seeking details about the party's official record. To his surprise-and perhaps amusement-the EC responded by saying that he remains, on paper, the party's General Secretary.

The EC's letter clarifies that the RSP last submitted updates to its central leadership and committee 15 months ago. Since then, no changes ...