Nepal’s nationwide election for the House of Representatives took place on March 5, 2026, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s political landscape. This election is the first national vote since the resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, which followed significant youth-led protests in September 2025.

Polling stations were open from 07:00 to 17:00 GMT, and approximately 19 million Nepalis were eligible to vote, including around 800,000 first-time voters. The Election Commission has announced that results for 165 first-past-the-post seats will be disclosed within 24 hours after the polls closed, while counting for the proportional representation system, which allocates 110 seats, may take an additional two to three days.

Turnout for the election was estimated at 60%, reflecting a strong engagement from the electorate. The election aims to address demands for accountability, job creation, and an end to corruption, issues that were prominently raised during the Gen Z protests, which saw 77 lives lost.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is considered a front runner in this election, with Balendra Shah, a prominent candidate and former mayor of Kathmandu, gaining significant attention. Shah stated, “Because of you, democracy has won today,” highlighting the importance of this election in the context of recent political turmoil.

Puranjan Acharya, a political analyst, emphasized that “The election is critical to address the aspirations of the youths expressed during the Gen Z protests.” This sentiment resonates with many voters, including Luniva, who expressed, “I came to vote mainly because of the protest and so many people gave their lives in the hope of a change, in hope of seeing a better Nepal.”

As the counting progresses, Sushila Karki, the Chief Election Commissioner, urged voters to participate actively, stating, “The beauty of democracy is people’s participation. I would like to urge all voters to reach their polling booths and cast their ballots.”

This election is seen as a crucial test of Nepal’s democracy following a year of unrest, and the results will be closely monitored both domestically and internationally. Details remain unconfirmed as the counting continues.

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