🇳🇵 Latest Updates on Nepali Politics — A Turning Point Before the 2026 Elections
🇳🇵 Latest Updates on Nepali Politics — A Turning Point Before the 2026 Elections
Nepal’s political scene is once again in the spotlight as the country prepares for the general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026. What was long seen as routine political instability has quickly evolved into one of the most dramatic chapters in recent Nepali history. 
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🗳️ Elections Set for March 5, 2026
The Government of Nepal and the Election Commission have confirmed that early general elections will be held on March 5, with around 18.9 million eligible voters expected to cast ballots for 275 seats in the House of Representatives. 
This election is seen as a critical turning point following months of unrest and government changes.
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⚖️ Nepali Congress in Turmoil
One of the nation’s oldest and largest parties, Nepali Congress (NC), is facing internal divisions that have shaken its organization ahead of the nomination deadline. The Election Commission’s recent decision to recognize Gagan Thapa as party leader has unsettled supporters of Sher Bahadur Deuba, sparking internal clashes and strategic recalculations. 
Despite this, the party has publicly stated that elections are the best way out of the current political crisis, emphasizing that elections—if conducted fairly—can institutionalise the voice of change raised by the youth protests of 2025. 
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✊ Youth Protests and Gen Z Legacy
A major catalyst for Nepal’s political shift was the 2025 Gen Z protests, driven by widespread frustration over corruption, governance issues and even a controversial social media ban. 
These protests — organised primarily by youth and students — escalated into nationwide upheavals in September 2025, resulting in:
• Resignation of Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli
• Dissolution of the House of Representatives
• Appointment of an interim government
• Renewed calls for accountability and transparency 
The memory of these demonstrations continues to shape political narratives, especially among younger voters and activists calling for meaningful reform.
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👤 New Faces in Politics: Balen Shah
In a dramatic move, Balen Shah — former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City — resigned his mayoral post to enter national politics. He was named the prime ministerial candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) ahead of the elections, intensifying political momentum around new leaders outside the traditional party hierarchy. 
His rise reflects a broader yearning for fresh leadership and alternatives to established political elites.
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🧩 Political Fragmentation and Realignment
Nepal’s political landscape continues to evolve rapidly:
• Several smaller new political parties have been formed or re-aligned recently.
• Long-standing party alliances have fractured or been reconfigured amid election pressures.
• Royalist and fringe political factions remain fragmented, struggling to form a united platform ahead of the elections. 
This fluid situation means that unexpected cross-party alliances or surprise election outcomes are possible in March.
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💡 What This Means for Nepal
Nepal is at a crossroads:
➡️ A major test of democratic resilience as voters take to the polls.
➡️ A chance for emerging leaders and new parties to reshape national direction.
➡️ An environment where youth voices, energized by past protests, may influence power like never before.
Stay tuned — the 2026 general elections aren’t just a ballot day, they may redefine Nepali politics for years to