The election was called after youth protests in September 2025 that led to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli.[5]
Voters will cast two separate ballots in the election: one to elect 165 members from single-member constituencies via FPTP, and the other to elect the remaining 110 members from a single nationwide constituency via party-list proportional representation, as mentioned in the Constitution of Nepal.[6] Nearly 18.9 million people are registered to vote in the election.[7] More than 3,400 candidates from 68 parties are contesting the election.[8]
The 2026 general election was precipitated by a period of acute socio-economic instability and a total breakdown of trust between the state and Nepal's youth. By mid-2025, public frustration reached a zenith over rampant corruption, high youth unemployment, and the perceived nepotism of the political elite, often criticized through the viral "#NepoKid" and "#NepoBabies" social media trends.[9] This discontent was further exacerbated by a stagnant economy and a record-breaking "brain drain," as thousands of skilled workers migrated daily for employment abroad, contrasting sharply with the opulent lifestyles of politicians' families displayed on digital platforms.[10]
Federal Parliament Building After GenZ Protest.
The immediate catalyst for the unrest was the government's decision on 4 September 2025 to ban 26 social media platforms, including YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp, citing their failure to register under new, restrictive digital guidelines.[11] This digital blackout was widely perceived as an attempt to stifle dissent and dismantle communication networks used by activists. In response, a leaderless movement predominantly organized by Generation Z students erupted on 8 September 2025. Thousands of protesters, many in school uniforms, converged at Maitighar Mandala and marched toward the Federal Parliament Building, demanding an end to the ban and the resignation of the government.[12]
The situation escalated into what local media termed a "Day of Rage" when security forces used live ammunition to quell the crowds. By 9 September, at least 76 people had been killed and over 2,000 injured as protesters set fire to several government structures, including the Prime Minister's Office at Singha Durbar and the residences of high-ranking officials.[13] Amidst the total collapse of civilian governance and mass resignations within his cabinet, Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned on 9 September 2025. The following days saw the military assume control of security in the Kathmandu Valley to stabilize the region after the Prime Minister and several other senior leaders were evacuated from their residences.[14]
On 12 September 2025, President Ram Chandra Poudel dissolved the House of Representatives to pave the way for a fresh mandate. Invoking Article 61 of the Constitution to safeguard national unity during the crisis, the President appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the interim Prime Minister.[15] Karki, known for her record of judicial independence, became the first woman to lead a government in Nepal's history. Her interim administration was tasked exclusively with stabilizing the country and conducting free and fair elections within a six-month window, a mandate she reaffirmed by appointing a cabinet consisting largely of technocrats and civil society leaders.[16]
Following the constitutional reset, the President announced that the general election for the 275 seats of the House of Representatives would take place on 5 March 2026. Crucially, this snap poll was limited to the federal lower house; there were no concurrent elections for the Provincial Assemblies, as those bodies were not dissolved during the September crisis.[17] The election period saw a massive surge in voter registration, with nearly 19 million citizens eligible, including over 800,000 first-time voters from the generation that led the September protests. The 5 March date was selected to provide sufficient time for the reconstruction of damaged state infrastructure and the restoration of public services disrupted during the uprising.[18]
Timetable
The electoral timeline for the 2026 House of Representatives election was established under a condensed "fast-track" schedule to transition from the interim administration of Sushila Karki back to a fully elected civilian government. Following the formal dissolution of the Federal Parliament of Nepal on 6 October 2025, the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) was mandated to execute all logistical and legal requirements for a nationwide poll within a 150-day window.[19] This period was marked by high administrative pressure to update voter rolls that had been disrupted by the September unrest.
The initial phase focused on voter and party registration, which saw an unprecedented surge in activity. Following multiple requests from the interim Prime Minister to ensure no citizen was disenfranchised, the ECN extended the registration deadline to 21 November 2025.[20] This extension facilitated the registration of approximately 800,000 first-time voters, predominantly from the "Gen Z" demographic. By the party registration deadline on 26 November, a record 143 political parties had applied for recognition, reflecting the fragmentation and emergence of new political forces in the wake of the protests.[21]
The Proportional Representation (PR) process began in late December 2025, requiring parties to submit preliminary closed lists that adhered to strict constitutional quotas for gender, ethnicity, and regional representation. The ECN allocated 110 of the 275 seats through this system to ensure the inclusivity of marginalized groups, including Dalits, Janajatis, and Madhesis.[22] This phase was critical for the "new wave" parties, which sought to maximize their parliamentary presence through the PR ballot, given the high barrier of entry in direct First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) contests.
On 19 January 2026, the ECN enforced a rigorous Election Code of Conduct, which prohibited the use of government resources for campaigning, restricted the size of political banners, and banned the use of children in rallies.[23] The following day, candidate nominations for the 165 FPTP seats were filed nationwide, with over 3,400 candidates entering the fray. The security environment during this period was managed by a combined force of 320,000 personnel from the Nepal Police, Armed Police Force, and the Nepal Army to prevent a resurgence of the violence seen in late 2025.[24]
The final month of the timetable was dedicated to an intensive two-week campaign period, which concluded with a "silence period" beginning 48 hours before the polls. Election day on 5 March 2026 saw nearly 19 million eligible voters head to the polls across 165 constituencies. Unlike the 2022 cycle, these elections were conducted solely for the federal House of Representatives; provincial assembly elections were deferred as those bodies remained intact through the 2025 crisis.[25]
The 275 members of the legislature are elected by two methods; 165 are elected from single-member constituencies by first-past-the-post voting and 110 seats are elected by closed listproportional representation from a single nationwide constituency.[26] Voters receive separate ballot papers for the two methods. A party or electoral alliance has to pass the election threshold of 3% of the overall valid vote to be allocated a seat in the proportional vote.[27] Nepal uses the Webster method to allocate proportional seats.[28]
Voting is limited to Nepali citizens aged 18 or over of sound mind and not having been declared ineligible under federal election fraud and punishment laws.[29] On 27 December 2025, the Election Commission published a final voter list of 18,903,689 voters.[30]
After months of disagreement on electing a new leadership before the election, a majority of party delegates held a special general convention which elected Gagan Thapa as party president.[31][32] Thapa was also announced as a prime ministerial candidate from the party.[33] The party fielded candidates in all 165 constituencies, Thapa decided to contest the election from Sarlahi 4 instead of Kathmandu 4 where he had won in the last three elections .[34][35] Ex-party president and former prime minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, acting president Purna Bahadur Khadka, and Ramesh Lekhak who had been home minister during the Gen Z protests did not contest the election.[36]
The party's campaign focused on the new generation taking over the leadership of the party and their image as a "renewed" party.[37] The party started its campaign rally from Janakpur on 18 February 2026.[38] It conducted major campaign rallies in major cities of Surkhet, Banke, Butwal, Pokhara, Birgunj and Baglung.[39][40]
The party's manifesto called for structural reform centered on good governance, administrative efficiency, and strict term limits. It proposed a one-term limit for the President, two terms for the prime minister and chief ministers, three for ministers, and a single term for party list MPs. It also called for the introduction of right to reject and right to recall provisions. The economic platform focused on liberal, pro-market policies that includes a stable tax system, incentives for private sector investment, tax exemptions for income up to NPR 1,000,000, and commercialization of agriculture. The manifesto made commitments for a contribution-based social security system, universal healthcare, and free education though the secondary level. The party also outlined plans to reform the public works budding process for greater transparency, expansion of hydropower and prioritization of national electrification.[41]
CPN (UML)
The party held it's 11th general convention on 18 December 2025 and reelected K. P. Sharma Oli as party chairman.[42] Oli was also declared as a candidate for prime minister from the party.[43] The party fielded candidates in all 165 constituencies, but later withdrew from Manang 1 in favor of Nepali Congress candidate Tek Bahadur Gurung after local elders intervened in order to prevent violence during campaigning. In return Nepali Congress would have to support CPN (UML) candidates in the next provincial elections.[44][45]
K.P. Sharma Oli was prime minister during the Gen Z protests and called the elections a referendum between nation-builders and nation-destroyers.[48]
The party's manifesto promised a welfare system with comprehensive social security nets. The party proposed giving 10 GB of free monthly internet data for individuals aged 18–28, a $10,000 dollar card to facilitate foreign business and interest-free higher education loans of up to NPR 2 million. The economic platform positioned the private sector as the primary driver of national growth and promised a progressive taxation system and modernization of agriculture. The party proposed forgiveness of loans up to NPR 25,000 taken before September 2025, universal healthcare, free education and free school lunches until the 10th grade. The manifesto also proposed increasing the monthly minimum wage to NPR 25,000, offering a monthly NPR 5,000 incentive for migrant workers that sent back remittances, and integrating migrant workers into a contribution-based social security system. It proposed a maternal allowance of NPR 20,000 alongside NPR 500,000 in free life insurance for pregnant women.[49]
The party and Rastriya Janamorcha made an alliance for Baglung district. As part of the alliance, the party supported Janamorcha candidate Krishna Adhikari in Baglung 1, and in return, Janamorcha supported NCP candidate Gyamnath Gaire in Baglung 2.[52] Senior leaders from the party, former prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal and former deputy prime minsiter Bamdev Gautam decided not to contest the election.[53]
The party unveiled its manifesto on 10 February, which focused on good governance, employment creation, social welfare, and institutional reform. The manifesto emphasized investment in agriculture and hydropower, policies promoting proportional representation and targeted programs for marginalized communities, strengthening the federal democratic republican system through enactment of laws related to federalism, including a federal civil service act and police act, and allocating 60 percent of the national budget to provincial and local governments. It proposed the implementation of universal health coverage, introduction of an unemployment insurance system, mandatory enrollment in a contribution-based social security fund, and six months of maternity leave for salaried women for up to two children. The manifesto also called for a high-level commission to investigate the assets of all public office holders and committed to completing the peace process.[54][55]
Rastriya Swatantra Party
The party signed an agreement to bring in independentKathmandu mayorBalen Shah into the party and declared him as the candidate for prime minister from the party.[56] An agreement had also been signed to merge Ujyaalo Nepal Party into the party, but the agreement later collapsed.[57][58]Bibeksheel Sajha Party merged into the party ahead of the election.[59] Shah decided to contest the election from Jhapa 5 against CPN (UML) chairman and former prime minister K. P. Sharma Oli.[60]
The party's campaign launched with Balen Shah formally joining the party and greeting supporters at a gathering in Janakpur on 20 January. Shah was put forward as the first prime minister from Madhesh.[61] The party started its campaign rally from Dhangadhi on 18 February 2026. The next day the party released its manifesto at a rally in Birendranagar[62][63] The party's candidacy from Dhanusha 1 was scrapped by election commission on 3 March 2026 just two days before election after candidate Kishori Sah was found in blacklist.[64][65]
The party's manifesto advocated for constitutional amendments and institutional reforms aimed at streamlining the bureaucracy. The party proposed a transition to a directly elected executive and a fully proportional parliament, alongside separation of powers that would prevent legislators from serving as cabinet members. The party proposed abolition of party-affiliated student unions, trade unions, and civil servant associations. It also aimed to restructure provincial governments and create non-partisan local governments. The party's liberal economic policy advocated for the creation of a competition regulator, proposed a unification of existing economic laws, tax cuts for businesses, and a formal review of Nepali rupee's peg to the Indian rupee. The manifesto also committed to expand hydropower, enforcement of national engineering and building standards, and implementation of a unified healthcare system. The party also supported dual citizenship rights and investigation into wealth of all public officials holding office since 1990.[66]
Rastriya Prajatantra Party
The party unified with Rastriya Prajatantra Party Nepal to strengthen the pro-monarchy vote before the election.[67] The party fielded candidates in all 165 constituencies, but withdrew its candidate from Manang 1 in favor of Nepali Congress candidate Tek Bahadur Gurung after local elders intervened in order to prevent violence during campaigning, and from Rupandehi 2.[44][68]
The party's manifesto called for a return to a constitutional monarchy, restoration of a Sanatan Hindu state with religious liberty, scrapping the federal system in favour of a two-tiered governance structure consisting of a central government and strong, non-partisan local governments. It also proposed forming a citizen commission to investigate the assets of public office holders and civil servants after 1990. The manifesto's "Reform 3.0" economic policy emphasized pro-private business reforms, including the dissolution of party-affiliated trade unions, streamlining the bureaucratic process, and reforming the tax system and laws to encourage foreign investment. The manifesto also called for the expansion of hydropower production, free basic healthcare and primary and secondary education in government school, and subsidies for high-value agriculture and herbal medicine industries in the hill and mountain regions.[69]
People's Socialist Party Nepal
Loktantrik Samajwadi Party, Nepal, Terai Madesh Loktantrik Party and Janata Pragatisheel Party merged with the party ahead of the nomination deadline.[70] The party released a 27-point manifesto on 26 January 2026 that focused on strengthening the federal structure. It advocated for implementing a "10+1" federal model based on the 2012 High-Level State Restructuring Commission's report to ensure ethnic identity. The manifesto called for constitutional amendments incorporating demand from the Madhesh and Janajati movements, as well as the 2025 Gen Z protests. It also proposed a transition to a directly electedpresidential system, non-partisan local elections, proportional representation in the National Assembly, and reserved constituencies for Dalits and women. The manifesto also proposed the implementation of youth unemployment insurance, a decentralized budgetary allocation based on population and human development indicators, and official use of all languages of Nepal.[71]
The party's manifesto called for a transition to a directly elected presidential system, direct elections for provincial heads and a fully proportional electoral system. The party proposed limiting the federal parliament to legislative duties and forming a cabinet chosen by the executive head. The manifesto called for the formation of a National Development Authority that would be under the executive's leadership. It also proposed free education up to the secondary level, free basic healthcare and a unified social security system. The party also proposed 100 days of employment or equivalent in unemployment benefits for individuals aged 21 to 30. The manifesto called for the introduction of the right to reject and right to recall and voting rights of Nepalis abroad. It supported progressive taxation, encouraging foreign investment, including from Non-Resident Nepalis, and agricultural insurance. The manifesto aims for full domestic energy self-sufficiency. It also proposed granting citizenship by descent for children of Nepali emigrants up to three generations.[78]
Ujyaalo Nepal Party
The party was formed after the elections were announced.[79]Kulman Ghising who was serving as a minister in the interim cabinet resigned on 7 January 2026 and joined the party.[80] The party had signed an agreement to merge with Rastriya Swatanta Party, but the agreement collapsed.[57][58] The party reached an agreement with Rastriya Paribartan Party to unify the two parties. Since the nomination deadline had passed for submitting the party list, Paribartan's party list was modified to include members of Ujyaalo Nepal.[81]
On 15 February 2026, the party released its election manifesto, which aims for a "Development Decade". The party proposed a significant reduction in the downsizing administration, advocating for decreasing federal legislators to 201 and provincial legislators to 330, alongside directly elected chief ministers and non-partisan local elections. It also proposed introduction of right to reject and absentee ballots. The manifesto also proposed providing free university education and healthcare, commercial branding of marijuana and local liquor for export and promotion of organic farming. The party also focused on expanding renewable energy while guaranteeing every household 1,000 shares of hydropower stock at primary market prices. It also called for the abolition of politically affiliated trade unions and granting jus sanguinis citizenship.[82]
Candidates
Parties
The Election Commission called political parties seeking to contest the elections scheduled for 5 March 2026 to be registered within 26 November 2025. 120 political parties registered with the commission to contest the elections. 64 parties submitted closed lists under proportional representation system.[83][84][85]
Parties standing in at least 50 seats under a single election symbol
12Electoral Roll Act, 2017(PDF) (Act 23, section 6 & 23) (in Nepali). 2 February 2017. Archived from the original(PDF) on 5 September 2017. Retrieved 5 September 2017.
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