Sun Nov 16 22:21:00 UTC 2025: Summary:

Nepal’s Election Commission has announced the schedule for parliamentary elections to be held on March 5, 2026. Key dates include candidate nominations on January 20, protests against candidates on January 21, and withdrawals by January 23. The elections are being held following the removal of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli on September 9, 2025, due to protests over corruption and social media bans that led to violence. Sushila Karki was sworn in as Prime Minister of an interim government on September 12, 2025. The election will be held to elect 275 representatives of the House of Representatives.

News Article:

Nepal Sets March 5, 2026 Date for Parliamentary Elections

Kathmandu, Nepal – November 17, 2025 – The Election Commission of Nepal has officially announced the schedule for parliamentary elections to be held on March 5, 2026. This follows a tumultuous period in Nepali politics that saw the ouster of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli in September 2025 after widespread protests.

The election schedule dictates candidates must file nominations on January 20, 2026. The following days are allotted for challenges to candidacies and withdrawals. The final list of candidates, along with their assigned election symbols, will be published on January 23, 2026.

Polling stations will open at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. on March 5, 2026.

The snap elections were triggered by a series of demonstrations ignited by public anger over corruption and a ban on social media, leading to violent clashes in which 76 people died. This unrest culminated in the removal of Prime Minister Oli. Sushila Karki was subsequently sworn in as Prime Minister of an interim government on September 12, 2025, tasked with overseeing the electoral process.

The upcoming election will determine the composition of the 275-member House of Representatives. 165 seats are filled through direct voting, while the remaining 110 are allocated through proportional representation.

The elections are seen as a crucial step in stabilizing Nepal’s political landscape after months of turmoil.

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