Nepal's Democratic Turnout: A Nation Votes Amidst Change

On Thursday, Nepalese citizens flocked to polling booths across 165 constituencies, marking the start of a critical general election under tight security measures. This election is the first since Gen Z protests ousted Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli's government last year.

With over 18.9 million eligible voters, the nation is participating in the election of a new 275-member House of Representatives. Among the contenders, 3,406 candidates are vying for 165 seats via direct voting, while 3,135 candidates are pursuing 110 seats through proportional representation. Voting commenced at 7 am and will wrap up by 5 pm, with counting to begin shortly after.

The Election Commission's data reveal that 65 political parties are involved in this electoral process, with over 10,967 polling booths established. Following a two-day protest by Gen Z, which raised concerns such as corruption and governance, the political landscape has shifted. The recent changes saw President Ramchandra Paudel disband the House and appoint Sushila Karki as caretaker PM.