Thousands vie for Nepal’s 165 poll seats

Nearly 3,500 candidates, including 391 women, have filed nominations for Nepal’s upcoming general elections, scheduled for March 5. The elections will fill 165 House of Representatives (HoR) seats under the First Past the Post (FPTP) or direct voting system, while the remaining 110 of the 275 total HoR seats will be elected through a proportionate voting system. A total of 3,428 candidates registered, comprising 3,037 men and 391 women, representing various political parties as well as independent candidates. The Election Commission conducted the registration process from 10 am to 5 pm on Tuesday, which Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari described as peaceful across the country. The commission will release the final list of candidates on January 23 after verifying nominations and resolving any complaints, said spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai. These elections follow the resignation of former Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli on September 9, 2025, after youth-led Gen Z protests over corruption and social media restrictions. Sushila Karki was appointed interim prime minister, and the president dissolved the HoR, announcing the election date on her recommendation. The registration reflects strong participation ahead of Nepal’s polls. @@@