Nepal has begun voting in its first general election since the violent “Gen Z protests” last September that led to the collapse of the government and plunged the Himalayan nation into a period of political transition. On March 5, millions of voters across the country went to polling stations to elect 275 lawmakers who will constitute the next parliament.

According to Nepal’s Election Commission, approximately 19 million eligible voters are registered to participate in the nationwide vote. Polling stations opened at 7:00 a.m. local time across more than 23,000 voting centers and are scheduled to close at 5:00 p.m. Authorities expect turnout to be high as citizens seek to shape the country’s political future after months of uncertainty.

The election marks a pivotal moment for Nepal following the political upheaval that erupted last year when mass demonstrations-widely referred to as the “Gen Z protests”-swept across major cities and rural areas alike. The protests, largely driven by young voters frustrated with economic stagnation, corruption allegations, and political instability, quickly escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces.

The unrest left at least 77 people dead and more than 2,000 others injured, according to official figures. Amid the escalating crisis, the government led by former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli collapsed, and Nepal’s parliament was subsequently dissolved. The dramatic political turmoil forced the country’s leadership to seek an interim arrangement to stabilize governance.

Since the dissolution of parliament, the country has been governed by an interim administration headed by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki. Her caretaker government has been tasked with restoring stability, organizing fresh elections, and ensuring a peaceful transition to a newly elected administration.

To facilitate voter participation, the interim government declared a three-day nationwide public holiday. Officials said the measure was designed to allow citizens-particularly those working in cities-to travel back to their home districts to cast their ballots.

Nepal’s parliamentary system consists of a 275-seat House of Representatives. Of those seats, 165 lawmakers are elected through a first-past-the-post system in individual constituencies, while the remaining 110 seats are allocated through proportional representation based on party vote shares.

Election authorities have indicated that preliminary results for the 165 directly elected constituencies are expected to be released within two days of the vote. However, determining the distribution of the remaining 110 seats under the proportional representation system may take an additional two days.

Several major political parties are competing in the election, including traditional powerhouses such as the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), which was previously led by former Prime Minister Oli. Both parties have dominated Nepal’s political landscape for decades and remain influential despite the upheaval of the past year.

However, this election has also seen the emergence of several newer political movements seeking to capitalize on widespread dissatisfaction with established parties. Among them is the Rastriya Swotantra Party Nepal, which was formed in 2022 and has gained significant attention among younger voters.

Other relatively new parties contesting the election include the Shram Sanskriti Party and Ujjalo Nepal, both of which are campaigning on platforms focused on economic reform, transparency in governance, and greater youth participation in politics.

One of the most closely watched races in the election is taking place in Jhapa-5 constituency, where former Prime Minister Oli is facing an unexpected challenger. Balendra Shah, a former rapper turned political figure, has been nominated by the Rastriya Swotantra Party Nepal as its leading candidate in the district.

Shah has gained popularity among younger voters and urban residents, partly due to his unconventional background and outspoken criticism of traditional political elites. Analysts say the contest between Oli-a veteran political leader-and Shah represents a broader generational shift in Nepalese politics.

In an interview with foreign media earlier this year, Oli described the protests that led to his government’s downfall as “unusual” and suggested they may have been carefully organized. He claimed that the demonstrations were not entirely spontaneous and implied that external influences might have played a role.

Adding to the controversy surrounding last year’s events, an independent American news outlet, The Grayzone, reported in December that a United States-backed regime-change agency may have supported efforts that contributed to the political upheaval in Nepal. The report alleged that funding and strategic guidance were provided to groups involved in the protests.

However, these claims have not been independently verified and remain a subject of debate among political observers and analysts. Some experts argue that the protests were largely driven by domestic grievances, including economic hardship, unemployment, and frustration with longstanding political instability.

Nepal has experienced repeated cycles of political change over the past two decades, including the abolition of its monarchy in 2008 and the adoption of a new constitution in 2015. Despite these transformations, the country continues to face persistent challenges such as economic inequality, infrastructure deficits, and frequent government turnover.

For many voters, the current election represents an opportunity to reset the political landscape and push for more accountable governance. Youth participation in particular is expected to play a significant role in shaping the outcome, given the influence of younger citizens in last year’s protests.

Security has been tightened nationwide to ensure that the voting process proceeds peacefully. Thousands of security personnel have been deployed to polling centers, especially in regions that experienced unrest during the protests.

Election observers from various domestic and international organizations are also monitoring the vote to ensure transparency and credibility in the electoral process.

As voting continues across Nepal, political analysts say the outcome could determine whether traditional parties retain their dominance or whether newer political forces manage to gain a foothold in the country’s parliament.

Regardless of the final results, the election is widely seen as a critical test of Nepal’s democratic institutions and its ability to recover from one of the most turbulent political crises in recent years.

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