Nepal’s Election Commission announced on Tuesday that 114 political parties, including several new ones, have been approved to contest the first elections since a mass uprising ousted the government.
Commission spokesman Narayan Prasad Bhattarai told AFP that the election in the Himalayan nation of 30 million people is scheduled for March 5, 2026.
“About 19 million eligible voters have registered their names,” Bhattarai said.
“We assure everyone that the election will take place on time,” he added, stating that officials are determined to ensure a “free, impartial, and peaceful environment.”
Around a fifth of the 114 parties are new, including several registered by young activists who helped launch the anti-corruption protests that shook the country on September 8-9.
These protests were initially triggered by a brief ban on social media, but were fueled by broader anger over economic hardship and corruption.
The World Bank estimates that a “staggering” 82 percent of Nepal’s workforce is in informal employment, with GDP per capita at $1,447 in 2024.
Initial demonstrations were spearheaded by protesters under a loose “Gen Z” umbrella title, consisting of individuals younger than 28.
Unrest spread nationwide, leading to the burning of parliament and government offices, resulting in the government’s collapse. At least 73 people were killed during the violence.
Nepal’s political future remains uncertain, with deep public distrust of established parties posing a major challenge to holding credible elections.
