Kathmandu, May 5: Nepali Congress candidate Dharmendra Jha has been elected as the President of the Federation of Nepalese Journalists Association, the country's umbrella media organisation.

Jha, a Madhesi journalist, associated with the Annapurna Post won the election against Maoist-backed candidate Shiva Gaunle, during the FNJs national convention inaugurated by Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala.

"I am committed to the upliftment of overall status of journalists of Nepal," he said upon his victory on Sunday.

All the main office-bearers who got elected, except Vice-President Govinda Acharya, are NC candidates.

While Poshan K C has been elected General Secretary, Ramji Dahal became the new Secretary and Ramesh Bista the Treasurer, according to FNJA sources.

In the 27 member-central executive body, majority of the posts went to the Nepali Congress candidates. Around 1,050 voters exercised their voting rights during the two-day conference that kicked off in the capital on Saturday.

The FNJA has played a leading role to voice for press freedom and freedom of expression during King Gyanendra's 14 month direct rule that ended on April 24, 2006 following an uprising.