Nepal will hold its general elections on March 5, 2026, the first since last year’s anti-corruption protests. Nearly 19 million voters will elect 275 members to the House of Representatives. Key prime ministerial contenders include Gagan Kumar Thapa, KP Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, and Rabi Lamichhane. Results are expected mid-March.
Nepal is set to conduct its 9th parliamentary elections on March 5, 2026, with nearly 19 million eligible voters participating. This election is particularly significant as it follows the youth-led anti-corruption protests of 2025, which toppled the previous government. The polls will decide 275 seats in the House of Representatives - 165 through direct contests and 110 via proportional representation.
The elections are expected to reshape Nepal’s political landscape and influence its relations with India and China.
Key Highlights:
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Voting Date: March 5, 2026 (7 AM–5 PM local time).
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Seats at Stake: 275 in the House of Representatives.
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Electoral System: Mixed First-Past-the-Post (165 seats) + Proportional Representation (110 seats).
Key PM Candidates:
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Gagan Kumar Thapa (Nepali Congress)
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KP Sharma Oli (CPN-UML)
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Pushpa Kamal Dahal (NCP)
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Rabi Lamichhane (Rastriya Swatantra Party)
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Result Timeline: Basis of allotment and counting expected by mid-March; official results will follow.
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Context: First election since deadly anti-corruption protests in 2025.
Nepal’s 2026 elections are widely seen as a turning point, with voters demanding accountability, stability, and economic revival.
Sources: Mint, Business Today, ummid.com, Wikipedia, WapNepal