KATHMANDU – Nepal kicked off its parliamentary elections on Thursday, marking the first such vote since last year’s deadly Gen Z uprising. Polling stations across 77 districts opened at 7 AM, with over 23,000 centers buzzing with activity until 5 PM.
A staggering 18.9 million registered voters – 9.66 million men, 9.24 million women, and 200 others – are set to decide the fate of 275 lower house seats. Of these, 165 will be filled through the first-past-the-post system, while 110 follow proportional representation.
The Election Commission reports 3,406 candidates in FPTP races and 3,135 in proportional ones. This comes after the September 2025 Gen Z protests that claimed 77 lives and caused over 84 billion Nepali rupees in damage to public and private property. Then-Prime Minister KP Oli resigned amid the chaos, paving the way for interim leader Sushila Karki’s government.
Karki’s administration swiftly moved to restore stability, announcing fresh polls to realign the nation’s political course. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari urged citizens to vote fearlessly, emphasizing the Commission’s readiness for a transparent process.
“Elections form the bedrock of representative governance,” Bhandari stated in a public message. “I implore all voters to head to their polling stations with confidence and exercise your constitutional rights.”
Authorities have ensured facilities for women, men, disabled voters, and smooth booth management. Security measures are in place to guarantee fair, free, and intimidation-free voting, as Nepal steps toward democratic renewal post-turmoil.