Nepal heads to crucial parliamentary elections on March 5, in what is being described as a democratic reset for the Himalayan nation. The snap polls were triggered by deadly youth-led protests last September that forced the resignation of then prime minister K P Sharma Oli and plunged the country into its worst unrest since the end of the civil war in 2006. According to media reports, nearly 18.9 million voters, including over 9 lakh first-time electors, are eligible to vote in the high-stake contest that pits the political old guard against a wave of Gen Z-backed challengers.
What Triggered The Fresh Polls?
The early elections became inevitable after a dramatic chain of events in September 2025. On September 4, the government led by K P Sharma Oli abruptly banned 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, YouTube and TikTok, citing regulatory non-compliance. The move was widely seen by young Nepalis as an attempt to silence dissent, particularly as allegations of corruption were trending online under hashtags like #NepoBaby.
Within days, tens of thousands of students and young professionals marched toward the Federal Parliament in Kathmandu. What began as peaceful protests escalated into violence after a police crackdown.
As per media reports, 77 people were killed, hundreds were injured, and several buildings including parliament were torched within a period of two days. Facing mounting pressure, Oli resigned on September 9. Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister to oversee the transition and conduct fresh elections. She will step down once a new House of Representatives is formed.
How The Election Works
Nepal's lower house, the 275-member House of Representatives, is elected through a mixed system: 165 seats via First-Past-The-Post (direct voting) and 110 seats via proportional representation. A total of 3,428 candidates including 391 women are contesting the 165 directly elected seats.
According to media reports the Election Commission has deployed around 300,000 security personnel, with added vigilance along the India-Nepal open border.
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Key Players In The Race
The Old Guard: K P Sharma Oli (CPN-UML). The 73-year-old Marxist leader is seeking a comeback from his stronghold in Jhapa.
Pushpa Kamal Dahal: The former Maoist insurgent leader continues to command influence among left factions.
Gagan Thapa (Nepali Congress): At 49, Thapa represents a generational shift within Nepal's oldest democratic party after replacing veteran Sher Bahadur Deuba as party chief.
Gyanendra Shah: Though deposed in 2008, the former monarch retains pockets of support through royalist groups.
The New Challengers
Balendra Shah (Rastriya Swatantra Party): Popularly known as Balen, the 35-year-old rapper-turned-mayor has emerged as the face of youth-driven change. He is directly challenging Oli in Jhapa turning the constituency into the symbolic battlefield of old versus new.
Kulman Ghising: The former energy chief credited with reducing chronic power cuts is also seen as a reformist voice.
Why This Election Is Different
Unlike previous polls dominated by infrastructure promises, this election is centered on Governance & Anti-Corruption. The Gen Z uprising exposed deep frustration over nepotism and elite capture of state institutions.
Nearly 30% of candidates are under 40, marking a generational churn rarely seen in Nepal's politics. With high unemployment and migration to Gulf countries and the US, voters are demanding structural economic reforms. The vote is widely seen as a test of whether Nepal can restore trust in democratic institutions after months of chaos.
Why It Matters For India
With a 1,751-km open border, Nepal's stability has direct implications for India's internal security and trade. During the unrest, thousands of prisoners reportedly escaped and weapons were looted, prompting Indian border forces to step up vigilance.
A stable government in Kathmandu is crucial for ensuring the border is not exploited by criminal networks or third-party actors.
The Big Picture
The March 5 election is more than a routine parliamentary contest. It is a referendum on whether Nepal's political system long dominated by leaders from the post-civil war era, can adapt to a restless, digitally connected generation demanding transparency and accountability.
As interim PM Sushila Karki put it, the vote must “give the country a way out.”
On March 5, Nepal's voters will decide whether that way out lies with familiar faces or an untested new order.
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