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Nepal holds first election since government fell to protests
Millions of Nepalis cast ballots on Thursday in the country's first general election since mass demonstrations led by young activists forced the resignation of the previous administration last September. The vote pits establishment parties against a new wave of politicians promising change for disillusioned Gen Z voters.
Key issues and the protest movement
Corruption, economic stagnation, and deepening inequality fueled the uprising that left 77 people dead, many shot by police during clashes. The protests, which erupted last year, became a rallying cry for younger voters demanding systemic reform and an end to political instability.
Nearly 19 million Nepalis were registered to vote, including almost a million first-time voters. The Election Commission reported an expected turnout of around 60% after polls closed on Thursday.
Security and logistics
Voting proceeded peacefully under heavy security across the country. However, Nepal's rugged terrain complicates the process: ballots are transported by hand and counted manually, delaying results by several days. Officials anticipate preliminary outcomes for the 165 directly elected seats by next week, with full results-including 110 proportional representation seats-taking longer.
Contenders and the Gen Z factor
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, ousted in the protests, is running for a parliamentary seat in Jhapa 5. His Communist Party of Nepal (UML) has dismissed the demonstrations as unrelated to his leadership, insisting he remains popular. Oli told the BBC he is confident of victory.
Gagan Thapa, leader of the Nepali Congress, acknowledged voter frustration with past coalitions, vowing his party is now listening to younger voices. Yet, skepticism persists. Rakshya Bam, a Gen Z activist, criticized all major parties for failing to include protest demands in their manifestos, accusing them of exploiting the movement for political gain.
"None of the parties have incorporated the pact signed between the government and Gen Z in their election manifestos. They want to use the term Gen Z movement to come into power."
Rakshya Bam, Gen Z leader
Balen Shah: The wildcard candidate
Balen Shah, a former rapper and ex-mayor of Kathmandu, has emerged as a symbol of generational change. Running under the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Shah avoided media questions on Thursday, arriving at polling stations in his signature black sunglasses. While critics warn his confrontational style could continue in office, many young voters see him as a breath of fresh air.
Ispa Sapkota, a voter in Kathmandu, said she protested last September to end corruption and restore stability. "We want a better nation," she said. "Brain drain is the biggest problem-we can't find jobs here."
What's at stake
Nepal's political landscape has been dominated for decades by a rotating cast of coalition governments, primarily led by two communist parties and the Nepali Congress. A victory for Shah or other reformist candidates could mark a seismic shift, but analysts question whether older voters will embrace untested leadership.
Samikshya KC, another Kathmandu voter, supported the Gen Z movement but skipped the protests. "Nepal is becoming very corrupt," she said. "I'm hoping for big change-not just for the capital, but for remote areas too."
Next steps
The Election Commission aims to complete counting by 9 March, with initial results for directly elected seats expected within 24 hours of counting. Proportional representation results may take an additional two to three days. The new government will face immediate pressure to address corruption, economic stagnation, and governance failures that sparked last year's unrest.
