KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has directed its remaining ward, municipal and district committees to complete their organisational conventions under the party’s previous statute as it steps up preparations for the upcoming local elections.

More than 1,500 ward committees, several municipalities, one provincial committee and 12 district committees have yet to hold conventions. Party Election Commission chief Bhuvan KC said the pending conventions remain part of the previous organisational cycle and will therefore be conducted under the old statute and procedures.

RSP General Secretary Bipin Acharya said completing the remaining conventions is a top priority as the party prepares for local polls.

The party, which held its first national convention in Chitwan in June, adopted social democracy as its new ideological line and re-elected Rabi Lamichhane as president.

Separately, the RSP has begun preparations to mark International Youth Day on August 12. The party has appointed central committee member and former general secretary Kabindra Burlakoti to coordinate nationwide programmes, including youth dialogues, clean-up campaigns, blood donation drives, sports events and policy discussions.