KATHMANDU, 5 March 2026 (The Capital Post)— Nepal is holding a nationwide parliamentary election on Thursday, with nearly 19 million voters eligible to choose representatives for the country’s 275-member House of Representatives in a contest shaped by political upheaval and calls for reform.
More than 3,400 candidates from over 60 political parties are contesting the vote, which comes months after mass protests forced the resignation of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli and triggered early elections.
Among the leading contenders are the Nepali Congress led by Gagan Thapa, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) headed by former premier K.P. Sharma Oli, and the Communist Party of Nepal led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal. A newer force, the Rastriya Swatantra Party, has also gained momentum with support from younger voters.
One of the most closely watched figures is Balendra Shah, a former rapper and ex-Kathmandu mayor whose campaign has drawn strong backing from younger voters seeking political change.
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The election will determine 165 lawmakers through direct constituency contests, while the remaining 110 seats will be allocated through proportional representation under Nepal’s mixed electoral system.
Key issues dominating the campaign include corruption, job creation, poverty reduction and economic growth, as well as managing Nepal’s diplomatic and economic ties with neighbouring India and China.
Analysts say the vote represents a critical test for Nepal’s political system after years of instability and public frustration, with many voters hoping the next government can deliver reforms and restore confidence in democratic institutions.-The Capital Post
