The presidential election will see the direct fight between opposition leader Gurung and CPN-UML's Bhandari as the Nepal Workers Peasants Party's (NWPP) central member Narayan Maharjan today withdrew his candidacy.
Gurung, is the former General Secretary of the Congress party, the main Opposition, and also chaired the first meeting of the first Constituent Assembly (CA) as its senior-most member.
The CA chaired by Gurung had abolished 240-year-old institution of monarchy through majority voting on May 28, 2008.
The election for the post of the president will take place tomorrow, whereas the election for the post of Vice-president has been re-scheduled for Saturday, officials said.
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Bhandari is the Vice-president of CPN-UML and widow of late general secretary of the party Madan Bhandari.
Ruling alliance UCPN-Maoist and some other fringe parties have assured to back Bhandari for the post of President.
The ruling alliance has picked up former guerilla commander Nanda Kishor Pun 'Pasang' belonging to the Unified CPN-Maoist as the candidate for Vice-president.
With the promulgation of the Constitution on September 20, it was required to elect a new Nepal President within a month of the commencement of the Parliament session.
As per the schedule finalised by Parliament, the political parties were given a deadline till October 25 to come up with consensus candidates for the posts of President and Vice president, which they were unable to.
The election comes even as the new Constitution is being opposed by Madhesi groups. The agitating Madhesi Front claims that the Constitution does not guarantee enough rights and representation to the Madhesi and Tharu communities residing in southern Nepal.
At least 40 people have died in over a month of clashes between police and protesters.