Millions of Nepalis turned out to vote in the country’s first general election since last September’s violent youth-led protests, which toppled the government.
The unrest, driven by frustration over corruption, economic stagnation, and inequality, claimed 77 lives, many of them protesters shot by police.
The election marks a pivotal moment for Nepal, setting the stage for a contest between established political figures and a new generation of leaders appealing to Gen Z voters eager for change.
With 275 parliamentary seats at stake, the counting process is expected to take several days due to the country’s challenging mountainous terrain and the manual tallying of ballots. Officials do not anticipate results before next week.
Nearly 19 million voters, including close to one million first-timers, were registered to participate in the 5 March election for the House of Representatives.
The Election Commission projected voter turnout at around 60%. Despite the scale of the exercise, voting was largely peaceful, supported by a significant security presence nationwide.
Key contenders include former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, ousted in the protests, and Balen Shah, a former rapper who resigned as Kathmandu’s mayor in January to challenge Oli in the high-profile Jhapa 5 constituency.
For Oli, this election represents a crucial test. His Communist Party of Nepal UML has maintained that the protests were not a referendum on his leadership. He told the BBC, “I’m confident I will win this election,” asserting his continued popularity.
Gagan Thapa, leader of the Nepali Congress, highlighted the growing impatience of younger voters with “unholy alliances” and “poor governance” in prior coalitions, insisting that his party is attuned to Gen Z concerns.
Balen Shah, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, stayed true to his characteristic style, avoiding direct questions from journalists while wearing his signature black sunglasses.
Many young voters see Shah’s energy and youth as a breath of fresh air for Nepal’s political landscape.
However, not all Gen Z leaders are convinced. Rakshya Bam expressed skepticism, saying, “I think none of the parties have incorporated the pact that was signed between the government and the Gen Z in their election manifestos. They want to sell the name of Gen Z and come into power so they are using the term Gen Z movement… I don’t have much expectations from the elections.”
Ispa Sapkota, a voter in Kathmandu, recalled her participation in the September protests to “end corruption” and restore “political stability” in Nepal. She added, “We want a better nation. When I and others search for jobs, we’re not able to get any here. Brain drain is becoming the most important problem in our country.”
If Shah secures a victory, it could signal a dramatic shift away from decades of coalition governments dominated by veteran parties, including two major communist factions.
Of the 275 seats in the lower house, 165 will be filled through first-past-the-post voting, while the remaining 110 will be allocated based on proportional representation.
The Election Commission aims to release results for the directly elected seats within 24 hours of counting, expected to finish by 9 March. Tallying proportional representation votes may take an additional two to three days.
The next government, formed from the parties’ seat wins, will face the critical task of delivering on reforms and addressing issues like corruption and governance.
Samikshya KC, who voted in Kathmandu, did not take part in the protests but voiced her support for the Gen Z movement.
“Nepal is becoming very corrupt,” she said. “I’m hoping for a big change. There are so many remote places in our country – let there be some progress there too. Whatever happens, let it be good.”
