Dominance of the 40–49 Age Group Among Candidates

• 3,406 candidates are contesting under the first-past-the-post (direct) system. Of these, 3,017 are male, 388 are female, and 1 candidate represents ‘other’ groups.
• Under the proportional representation system, 3,135 candidates are in the electoral race. Among them, 1,772 are male, and 1,363 are female.

 

Kathmandu, Feb. 26

Elections for the 275 members of the House of Representatives (HoR) are being held on March 5. Fresh elections have been called after the HoR, formed following the 2022 elections, was dissolved after the Gen Z-led protests of 23 and 24 Bhadra.

Under the first-past-the-post (direct) electoral system, 165 members will be elected, while 110 members will be chosen through the proportional representation system. Altogether, 6,541 candidates are contesting under both systems, of whom 275 will be elected.

In the direct category, 65 political parties are contesting under 61 election symbols. Likewise, in the proportional category, 63 political parties are contesting under 57 election symbols.

There are 3,406 candidates in the direct elections - 3,017 men, 388 women, and 1 candidate from the ‘other’ groups. In the proportional system, 3,135 candidates are contesting, including 1,772 men and 1,363 women.

In both electoral systems, the highest number of candidates falls within the 40–49 age group. In the direct system, there are 201 candidates under the age of 30, and 749 candidates aged 30–39.

The 40–49 age group accounts for 1,077 candidates. There are 894 candidates aged 50–59, 395 aged 60–69, 83 aged 70–79, and 7 candidates aged over 80.

Similarly, in the proportional system, the 40–49 age group dominates. There are 168 candidates under 30, 686 aged 30–39, and 991 aged 40–49. A total of 741 candidates are aged 50–59, 419 are aged 60–69, 118 are aged 70–79, and 12 are over 80.

Among the total candidates, approximately 31 per cent belong to the Khas/Arya community. Specifically, 34.50 per cent are Khas/Arya, 27.30 per cent are from indigenous nationalities, 24.87 per cent are Madhesi, 6.75 per cent are Dalit, 3.99 per cent are Muslim, and 2.58 per cent are Tharu.

In the upcoming election, the total number of registered voters stands at 18,903,689, of whom 9,663,358 are men and 9,240,131 are women. For the election, 10,967 polling stations and 23,112 polling centres have been designated.

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 27 February 2026.