Nepal has conducted its first general election since unprecedented Generation Z-led protests six months ago forced the then-prime minister to resign. Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari stated the voting process concluded peacefully and enthusiastically. However, initial estimates indicate turnout was only about 60%, the lowest in over two decades, reflecting potential voter apathy or disillusionment.
Full results may take several days to compile, with some winners expected as early as Friday. Analysts suggest Nepal's electoral system is unlikely to deliver an outright majority for any single party, paving the way for protracted coalition negotiations as results trickle in. Key figures in the race include Marxist former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli seeking a fifth term, rapper-turned-mayor Balendra Shah (Balen) targeting the youth vote, and Gagan Thapa, the newly elected leader of the centrist Nepali Congress party.
The election follows the September 2025 uprising, which saw at least 77 fatalities and the torching of parliament and numerous government buildings. What began as demonstrations against a brief social media ban escalated into widespread anger over corruption and a stagnant economy. The government's heavy-handed response, including police opening deadly fire on protesters, ultimately pressured Oli and his Marxist administration to step down, leading to an interim government headed by former chief justice Sushila Karki.
The campaign spotlight focused intensely on the direct contest between Balen and Oli in the Jhapa-5 constituency. Balen, 35, leader of the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), positioned himself as the face of the Gen Z movement, campaigning on anti-corruption platforms, healthcare and education reforms for the poor, and job creation for youth. His decision to challenge Oli in his home turf symbolized a broader generational clash between new faces promising change and veteran politicians advocating for stability through experience.
Whoever emerges victorious will inherit daunting challenges: meeting the high expectations for systemic change demanded by last year's youth protests, tackling deep-rooted corruption, and navigating delicate diplomatic relations with powerful neighbors India and China. Logistical hurdles, including transporting ballot boxes across Nepal's mountainous terrain—home to eight of the world's ten highest peaks—required helicopters to deliver voting materials to remote, snowbound regions.
Source: www.theguardian.com