Nepal Sets Parliamentary Elections for March 5

Nepal has announced that it will hold its next parliamentary elections on March 5. The vote will determine the composition of the country’s federal parliament and could reshape the political landscape amid ongoing debates over governance, stability, and economic challenges. Election authorities confirmed preparations are underway to ensure a fair and transparent process. Political parties are expected to begin mobilizing supporters in the coming weeks as the nation prepares for a pivotal democratic exercise.

‍Kathmandu — Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel has called on all sides to ensure peaceful and timely parliamentary elections on March 5, following a week of violent protests that forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign and led to the appointment of former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the country’s first female prime minister.

In a statement Saturday, Paudel urged citizens to “utilize the hard-earned opportunity for conducting the election on time by safeguarding the interests of the people and maintaining self-discipline.” He described the upcoming vote as a vital step to preserve Nepal’s federal democratic republic after what he called a “crucial, tough and dangerous situation.”

Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives on Friday at the recommendation of the new prime minister and confirmed that fresh elections would be held in less than six months. “The people have got an opportunity to move forward in the path of a progressive democracy,” he said.

Karki, 73, was sworn in Friday after Oli stepped down amid mounting unrest over alleged corruption and a controversial social media ban. Oli’s resignation came shortly after protesters stormed his office on Tuesday, following violent clashes a day earlier in which police action left at least 19 dead. Nepal police later confirmed at least 51 fatalities from the “Gen Z”-led demonstrations, including one Indian national.

The protests also saw parts of the Prime Minister’s Office in the Singhdurbar Secretariat set ablaze. Officials said Karki will temporarily shift her office to a newly constructed Home Ministry building nearby, with cleanup efforts underway to accommodate the move.

Karki, who is expected to form a small Cabinet on Sunday, will retain control of several key ministries, including Home, Foreign Affairs, and Defense. On Saturday, she visited Civil Hospital in Kathmandu’s Baneshwor area to meet dozens of injured protest victims.

Still, the president’s move to dissolve parliament has drawn sharp criticism from major political parties and Nepal’s lawyers’ association, which called the decision “unconstitutional,” “arbitrary,” and a blow to democracy. Chief whips of the dissolved House issued a joint statement opposing the dissolution.

Despite the controversy, Paudel insisted that the constitution and parliamentary system remain intact, framing the March 5 election as a turning point for the nation’s democratic path.

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Source: NDTV