New Delhi has warmly welcomed the successful conduct of parliamentary elections in Nepal, extending congratulations to Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the government, and the people. The polls, held on Thursday, unfolded largely peacefully despite a relatively low voter turnout.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal praised the enthusiastic participation of Nepali citizens in exercising their democratic rights. ‘We congratulate Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the Government of Nepal, the people of Nepal, and various stakeholders for the successful conduct of these elections amidst extraordinary circumstances last year,’ he stated.
India has consistently supported peace, progress, and stability in Nepal. True to its commitment, New Delhi provided logistical supplies for the elections at the request of the Nepali government. Jaiswal expressed optimism about collaborating with the new administration to strengthen multifaceted ties between the two nations for mutual benefit.
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari reported an estimated voter turnout of around 60 percent based on initial data from across the country. If confirmed, this would mark the lowest since the 1991 parliamentary polls, compared to 61.41 percent in 2022. Detailed figures are still being compiled.
Counting will commence immediately after securely collecting ballot boxes. In 15 remote districts, helicopters will transport them. With 1.89 crore registered voters, including over 9.15 lakh new ones—mostly youth—the elections spanned 23,112 polling stations.
Over 3,400 candidates contested under the First-Past-The-Post system, while 3,135 vied in proportional representation. These snap polls, held nearly two years early, followed last September’s Gen-Z movement that toppled the government led by former PM KP Sharma Oli, paving the way for Karki’s interim administration.
Some polling stations saw boycotts due to dissatisfaction with government development efforts, though Bhandari clarified this reflected anger at the administration, not the commission. As Nepal transitions politically, these elections signal a pivotal moment for its democratic journey, with India standing as a steadfast neighbor.