Political parties in Kathmandu, Nepal, have begun campaigning for next month’s parliamentary elections, the first national vote since the deadly anti-corruption uprising that brought down the previous government in 2025.
The election, scheduled for 5 March, follows months of political instability after mass protests led to the removal of veteran Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli.
“This election will shape the future of the country,” said Sushila Karki, who is serving as interim prime minister until the vote, as campaigns formally opened on Monday.
The youth-led demonstrations began in September after a brief government ban on social media but quickly escalated into wider protests fuelled by economic frustration and criticism of what many described as an ageing political elite disconnected from younger generations.
Over two days of unrest, 77 people were killed and scores injured. Hundreds of buildings were set on fire, including parliament, court premises and a major hotel in Kathmandu. The violence marked Nepal’s most serious turmoil since the end of its decade-long civil war in 2006.
The protests ultimately forced KP Sharma Oli from office and led to an accelerated election timetable.
The campaign period, lasting two weeks, is expected to reflect a growing generational divide in Nepali politics. A number of younger candidates have entered the race, promising reform and accountability.
One of the most closely watched contests will see rapper-turned-mayor Balendra Shah challenge KP Sharma Oli in his home constituency. Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, has emerged as a prominent symbol of youth-driven political change. He is contesting under the Rastriya Swatantra Party, which was the fourth-largest party in the previous parliament.
The Nepali Congress, the country’s oldest political party, is also contesting under new leadership. Following the upheaval, the party elected 49-year-old Gagan Thapa as its leader.
Royalist sentiment has also resurfaced. Supporters of former King Gyanendra Shah, who was deposed in 2008 when Nepal abolished its 240-year monarchy, have staged rallies in Kathmandu. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which advocates for the restoration of the monarchy, recently drew large crowds as Gyanendra Shah appeared publicly during a procession in the capital.
Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including around 800,000 first-time voters. They will elect 275 members to the House of Representatives, with 165 chosen through direct constituencies and 110 allocated through proportional representation.
More than 3,400 candidates are competing in the direct races, with around 30 per cent aged under 40, highlighting a significant generational shift.
“This election is being conducted in a special condition,” Sushila Karki said while overseeing preparations. “It must provide the country with a way forward.”
The Election Commission has said it is prepared to hold the vote despite potential weather challenges, as several high-altitude regions may face snowfall at this time of year. The early scheduling of the election was triggered by the political crisis that followed September’s unrest.
Around 300,000 security personnel, including police and temporary election officers, have been deployed across the country to maintain order.
The 5 March vote is widely regarded as a critical test of Nepal’s democratic stability and its ability to move beyond last year’s violence towards political renewal.
