Nepal is holding its first general election since widespread youth-led protests forced the resignation of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli and dissolved parliament. More than 18.9 million eligible voters are casting ballots to fill all 275 seats in the House of Representatives — with 165 directly elected and 110 chosen through proportional representation — in a contest widely seen as a referendum on change versus the entrenched political elite.
The protests that preceded this election were driven by deep frustrations over corruption, unemployment, and political instability, and left at least 77 people dead after clashes with security forces.
This year’s polls pit traditional parties such as the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (UML) against newer movements supported by young voters demanding reform. Nearly one million first-time voters have been added to the rolls since last year’s unrest, underscoring the generational stakes.
Polls have generally proceeded peacefully under tight security, though full results may take days to finalise due to Nepal’s rugged terrain and hand-counting processes. Observers see the outcome as a critical moment for Nepal’s democracy and a test of whether youth-driven political momentum can reshape the country’s future.