Kathmandu, Oct 23: Nepal’s interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Wednesday reaffirmed her government’s commitment to holding the general elections on March 5, 2026, in a free and fair manner.
Speaking at an event in Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur, Karki emphasized that the caretaker government would ensure an environment where citizens can vote without fear, while addressing the demands of Nepal’s youth, particularly the Gen Z movement.
Karki, 73, became Nepal’s first female prime minister last month after the ouster of former PM K P Sharma Oli, following nationwide Gen Z-led protests against corruption and a ban on social media.
Her remarks came a day after she held her first meeting with representatives of major political parties since forming the interim government. The five-hour meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar, focused on election preparations, corruption, and national security.
The meeting was attended by key political figures from parties including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), Rastriya Swatantra Party, and others. Cabinet members including the finance, home, energy, agriculture, and communications ministers were also present.
Minister for Communications Jagdish Kharel described the talks as positive, noting that most parties supported timely elections and agreed to work collaboratively to ensure credible polls. Political leaders urged the government to maintain a conducive atmosphere for voting.
Separately, PM Karki met with a delegation of injured Gen Z protesters. Led by activist Rupin Khadka, they demanded strong action against corrupt politicians and criticized the lack of arrests.
In response, Karki assured them that her government would act lawfully and uphold the spirit of the Gen Z movement.
“We will act through proper procedures and within the law,” she said, adding that investigations into corruption are already underway.
News Today | First with the news
News Today | First with the news
