• New political parties have entered the race as established forces struggle to regain momentum
• Authorities have moved to deploy army early amid fears of renewed violence

KATHMANDU, Nepal

On a sunny afternoon in November, hundreds of aspiring voters queued in the courtyard of a government building in Kathmandu, forming a long, winding line as a monthlong voter registration drive neared its end.

Many were young voters registering for the first time, alongside others who had missed earlier registration periods. The registration center at the Road Board Nepal was among several government facilities repurposed for last-minute enrollment as authorities sought to expand participation following months of political unrest.

Nikesh Bhujel, an 18-year-old student from Dolakha district, arrived straight from college to register just hours before the extended deadline expired.

“Today is the last day,” Bhujel, a hotel management student in Kathmandu, told Anadolu on Nov. 21. “The queue was quite long, so I had to wait three hours.”

His friend Bishram Shrestha accompanied him. Shrestha had already registered earlier in his home district of Sindhuli after family members urged him to prepare for the vote.

Nepal’s demographic data suggest that around one-third of eligible voters are under 30, a bloc analysts say could play a decisive role in the election and challenge long-dominant political figures.

Frustration over corruption and governance failures boiled over in September, when youth-led protests toppled the powerful KP Sharma Oli government, ending years of power-sharing among three major political parties.

Awakened by that upheaval, thousands of first-time voters are expected to cast ballots. Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said more than 837,000 new voters were added to the rolls.

Despite lingering uncertainty over whether elections will proceed as planned, unregistered voters from diverse backgrounds – including housewives, drivers, laborers, students and government employees – rushed to registration centers in hopes of casting a vote for change.

“Let’s hope,” Shrestha said. “But it’s up to the parties and the government whether elections will be held as scheduled.”

From unrest to interim rule

In September, widespread protests led to arson attacks on key state institutions, including Parliament, the Supreme Court and the prime minister’s office, forcing the sitting premier into hiding.

To stabilize the situation, the president appointed retired jurist Sushila Karki to lead an interim government.

Protesters demanded sweeping reforms, including constitutional changes to introduce direct elections for the prime minister, tougher action against corruption, and accountability for security forces accused of killing students during demonstrations.

Prime Minister Karki has ruled out constitutional amendments, saying her government’s sole mandate is to hold timely elections.

“This government is for elections,” Mahabir Pun, a minister of the Karki government, told Anadolu. “Be 100% sure – elections will happen in time.”

New faces, political realignment

General elections are expected to be held in March, and in the meantime, political activity is accelerating.

The Election Commission has invited political parties to register for the vote. Around 130 parties registered, most of which have been formally accepted, including newly formed groups led by younger politicians and prominent public figures.

Among them is Kul Man Ghising, the former head of the Nepal Electricity Authority credited with ending prolonged power cuts. His removal from the post in March 2025 sparked protests.

The engineer has since entered politics, founding the Ujyalo Nepal Party and joining the interim government as a minister.

Another newcomer is Birendra Bahadur Basnet, executive chairman of Buddha Air, who has launched the Gatisheel Loktantrik Party, or Dynamic Democratic Party, a move seen as significant for Nepal’s private sector.

In contrast, established parties appear less visible on the ground.

The Communist Party of Nepal-Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), led by former Prime Minister Oli, has challenged the interim government in court, demanding the dissolved Parliament be reinstated. Despite announcing nationwide protests against the interim government, the party has registered to contest the vote.

“I don’t think the government is seriously working to hold elections,” said Niraj Acharya, a leader of the UML. “We are protesting against this government and I cannot predict poll prospects.”

A group of lawmakers from Nepali Congress, the largest party in the dissolved legislature, has also filed a petition at the Supreme Court demanding the restoration of Parliament, although a section of leaders are opting to seek a fresh mandate.

“Since Prime Minister Sushila Karki was appointed unconstitutionally, the election for the House of Representatives proposed to be conducted by her and her government will also be unconstitutional. Therefore, an injunction should be issued to stop all election-related activities,” the petition states.

Despite the court challenges, election officials say preparations are moving forward.

“What we hope is that parties will come forward to contest the election,” said Bhattarai.

Security concerns loom

Ensuring security remains a major challenge.

Authorities say about 5,000 inmates convicted of serious crimes escaped during the unrest, and weapons looted from security forces – including rifles – have yet to be recovered. Sporadic clashes between protesters and supporters of major political parties have continued.

In Bara district in southern Nepal, authorities imposed a curfew after protests erupted at the airport ahead of a planned visit by Oli’s party. It took security forces three days to stabilize the situation.

The September violence, which left more than 70 people dead and caused extensive damage to state buildings and the homes of officials, has also had a demoralizing effect on politicians and security personnel, analysts say.

Given the risks, the government has decided to deploy the national army earlier than usual to support election security. Soldiers will operate alongside Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, guarding polling stations and transporting ballots and sensitive materials months ahead of election day.

No alternative to a vote

Election experts say timely polls are the only path toward restoring the fractured democracy.

“Sooner or later, elections must take place,” Neel Kantha Uprety, a former chief election commissioner, told Anadolu. “I have advised the prime minister to accommodate the diaspora in the election process and ensure internet voting for voters staying out of their area as demanded.”

Nepal, with a population of around 30 million, has an estimated 7 million citizens living abroad, scattered across more than 100 countries.

Ensuring their voting rights has become a key demand, and Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal said the government is drafting an ordinance to extend voting rights to citizens overseas.

For election officials, logistical challenges and political buy-in remain major hurdles. In the past, poll dates were postponed repeatedly, sometimes just days before nominations were due.

Uprety, who worked for the UN in Afghanistan, said elections must go ahead even if delayed slightly.

“It can be a bit late, but there’s no option,” he said. “The weather window supports us until June. So, polls can be in May, if not in March. But the issue is that the election must happen.”