Nepal Begins Campaign for First Post-Uprising Election

Election campaigning has begun in Nepal for next month’s parliamentary polls, the first national vote since deadly anti-corruption protests in 2025 forced the previous government from power.

Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki said the election scheduled for 5 March would shape the country’s future as parties launched rallies across the Himalayan nation.

The youth-led uprising erupted after a brief social media ban but quickly widened into nationwide anger over economic hardship and an ageing political establishment seen as disconnected from ordinary citizens.

Violence over two days in September left 77 people dead and dozens injured. Hundreds of buildings were torched, including parliament and court facilities, while veteran Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli was removed from office. It marked Nepal’s worst unrest since the civil war that ended in 2006.

Youth challengers vs veteran leaders

The two-week campaign features a surge of younger candidates promising sweeping reform, facing off against long-time politicians who argue experience is vital for stability.

One of the most closely watched contests pits rapper-turned-mayor Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, against Oli in the former prime minister’s constituency. The 35-year-old has become a symbol of youth-driven political change and is contesting under the banner of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

The Nepali Congress, the country’s oldest political party, is also in the race under new leadership, represented by senior figure Gagan Thapa.

At the opposite end of the political spectrum, supporters of former monarch Gyanendra Shah are campaigning as well. The Rastriya Prajatantra Party, which advocates a return to monarchy, recently drew large crowds in Kathmandu.

Millions set to vote

Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including about 800,000 first-time voters. They will elect members to the 275-seat House of Representatives, with 165 chosen directly and 110 allocated through proportional representation.

More than 3,400 candidates are contesting the direct seats, about 30 percent of them under the age of 40. Campaign posters and party flags have already appeared across towns and cities as candidates seek to mobilise support.

Karki described the election as being held under “special conditions” and expressed hope it would provide a path forward after months of turmoil.

Authorities say preparations are complete despite concerns that winter weather could isolate remote mountain regions. Because of the unrest, the vote is being held earlier than usual, and roughly 300,000 security personnel have been deployed to maintain order during polling.