Study points to the need to address communication risks during elections

 Kathmandu, July 19

A recent study by Digital Rights Nepal (DRN) has concluded that legal and institutional reforms are needed to address the growing risks associated with the use of digital platforms in elections, as political campaigning and voter engagement increasingly move online.

It recommended establishing a digital election monitoring mechanism to oversee online campaigning and regulate the misuse of digital platforms during elections.

The report, 'Use and Impact of Digital Spaces in Nepal's Election 2026', analysed the use of digital technologies during the House of Representatives election held in March 5 this year. It found that while digital platforms expanded access to information and public participation, they also introduced challenges including AI-generated misleading content, concerns over voter data privacy, micro-targeted political advertising, online gender-based violence, limited transparency in digital campaigning and weak accountability by social media platforms.

The report recommends that the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) conduct a comprehensive review of the use and misuse of digital platforms during the 2026 parliamentary election and publish guidance on the digital code of conduct required for future polls.

It also calls on the ECN to develop a dedicated Digital Election Integrity Framework and issue clear guidelines on digital campaigning and the use of artificial intelligence in elections.

Likewise, for the government, the report recommends enacting dedicated personal data protection legislation and updating laws governing digital election campaigns, artificial intelligence, political advertising and platform accountability. It also calls for an inter-agency coordination mechanism to manage digital election risks and nationwide programmes on digital, media and electoral literacy.

The government should introduce legal measures against technology-facilitated gender-based violence and ensure that election security and digital monitoring remain under civilian oversight.   

Similarly, the report recommends that digital platforms improve transparency in political advertising, establish local contact points in Nepal, and strengthen their ability to detect coordinated disinformation campaigns and AI-generated or manipulated content in Nepali written in both Devanagari and Roman scripts. According to the report, they should provide qualified researchers and accredited election observers with access to relevant platform data while protecting user privacy.

It also urges political parties and candidates to commit to ethical digital campaigning by avoiding misinformation, hate speech, AI-generated deceptive content, voter manipulation and coordinated online harassment. The report further recommends disclosure of digital campaign expenditure and advertising, along with training on election law and digital conduct for campaign workers.

Civil society organisations and fact-checking groups are suggested to continue independent monitoring of online election campaigns, and expand fact-checking and digital literacy initiatives. Institutionalising monitoring standards and advocating for digital governance that protects freedom of expression and press freedom are also the concerns.

The DRN informed that the study examined laws and policies governing digital election activities, the use of social media and artificial intelligence, voter data management, information integrity and platform accountability. The findings were based on interviews with stakeholders, discussions with experts and focus groups, reviews of laws and policies, and monitoring of digital platforms throughout the election period.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 20 July 2026.         

China congratulates on holding polls

Kathmandu, Mar. 6

China congratulated Nepal on concluding the voting for the House of Representatives elections steadily and as scheduled.

"We are glad to see Nepal advance its political agenda smoothly. China stands ready to work with Nepal to continue advancing the strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity," Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference in Beijing on Friday.

According to the Embassy of China in Kathmandu, as a traditionally friendly neighbour, China values its relations with Nepal.

The two countries have given each other support in their effort to safeguard independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, read a statement by the Embassy.

  Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 7 March 2026.      

Candidates vow to tap ICT's power for development

Kathmandu, Feb. 27

Political parties said on Friday that the development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector should move towards implementation and beyond inclusion in election manifestos.

Speaking at the second edition of Digital Leadership Dialogue organised by ICT Foundation Nepal in Kathmandu, leaders of several parties acknowledged that the time has come to translate manifesto commitments into action.

They said IT has now become a shared national agenda rather than only an electoral issue.

Their commitments included promoting digital governance, infrastructure development, reducing the digital divide, strengthening skills development, improving digital literacy, and prioritising STEM education.

Anand Raj Khanal, President of Nepal Digital Lead and former Senior Director of the Nepal Telecommunications Authority, said that while political manifestos prioritise ICT, they lack a realistic assessment of current challenges.

"Future-oriented commitments would remain unfulfilled if present issues are not addressed," he said.

Shree Gurung of the Ujyalo Nepal Party proposed allocating at least one per cent of national income to innovation, start-ups and technology. According to him, Nepal’s green energy and water resources could support the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure.

Gajendra Budhathoki of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party said that long-term investment in IT has been limited and attributed existing progress largely to private sector efforts. According to him, resources needed for ITC sector development could be managed by checking the revenue leakage.

Keshav Aryal of the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party stressed the need for individuals with ICT expertise in policymaking roles.

Likewise, Dr. Netra Timilsina of the CPN-UML called for increased state investment in digital infrastructure. Dr. Beduram Bhusal of the Nepali Communist Party acknowledged weak implementation of past commitments.

Similarly, Rajan Koirala of the Rastriya Swatantra Party said that time has come to materialise the commitments made by the political parties and the government. He expressed concerns over the human resource mismatch as well.

Dr. Amita Pradhan of the Nepali Congress also emphasised implementation and policy strengthening while also creating basic mechanism for the ICT development.  

Bijay Babu Shiwakoti of the Gatisheel Loktantrik Party urged utilisation of the Rural Telecommunications Development Fund for expanding digital infrastructure. He also said that the government should implement programmes to support start-ups and youth entrepreneurship in IT sector.  

 Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 February 2026.     

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.     

Four political parties release manifestoes

Kathmandu, Feb. 15

Four political parties-- Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Nepal Workers Peasant Party, Ujyalo Nepal Party and Progressive Democratic Party—have released their election manifestoes or commitment papers.  

They unveiled their pledges at separate events in Kathmandu on Sunday.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has issued a one-pager ‘contract paper’ expressing a pledge to uphold liberal economy with social justice, reformed provincial structures, inclusive representation, and respect for Sanatan civilisation.

The document was made public to meet the requirement to publish the party manifesto by Sunday, as mandated by the Election Commission, and the party stated that it would publish its election manifesto on Thursday.

The RSP also promised to protect religious and cultural diversity, exercise balanced international relations and expand the diaspora’s strength and soft power.

The party promised to establish a reliable, virtuous state through an ‘anti-corruption mega campaign’ for policy, conduct and institutional reform.

Universal digital delivery of government services, ending politicisation and forming a high-level commission to investigate assets acquired since 1990, reform in public education, quality healthcare, guarantee of integrated social security, and construction of reliable energy grid are the party’s priority areas.

It has promised to reduce forced migration by creating 1.2 million new formal jobs, increase installed electricity capacity to 15,000 MW and complete 10 signature projects.

The Nepal Workers Peasant Party has also released its election manifesto with proposals to create legal provisions, including nationalising the property of corrupt individuals and severely penalising guilty of major corruption cases.

Conducting a programme on Sunday, party Chairman Narayan Man Bijukshey has released the manifesto targeting the election for the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5.

This Party has also issued its commitment to abolish the legal system that grants citizenship based on descent to foreign children who have acquired Nepali citizenship by birth, and to build ropeways, cable cars, tunnels, and railways in the remote areas.

The party has included an agenda to oppose the act of taking loans to pay government employees' salaries.

It is also stated that every elected representative should be active, remaining with the people in their candidacies.

Progressive Democratic Party (Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party), co-chairs Durga Sob and Santosh Pariyar jointly presented the party’s commitment statement.

The emphasised full inclusivity, social justice and equality, participatory governance, economic and cultural rights, good governance, transparency, and progressive reform.

The party argued that traditional political parties have failed to address current challenges and evaluate future possibilities realistically and claimed that it will offer clear vision, ideological clarity, forward-looking youth leadership, and concrete plans and programmes to lead the country towards prosperity.

Meanwhile, Ujyaalo Nepal Party chairman Kulman Ghising pledged to accelerate national development by declaring a ‘Decade of Development.’

The party aims to achieve rapid economic growth, targeting nearly USD 7 billion in annual revenue by 2030 through nine per cent yearly growth.

 By 2035, the party plans to raise annual growth to 10 per cent, increasing revenue to USD 11 billion, with a per capita income of around USD 4,000, positioning Nepal as a middle-income country.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 16 February 2026.     

Election spending: Rs. 150 billion immediate boost to national economy

 Kathmandu, Feb. 14

A café in Bardaghat of Nawalparasi (West) has been busy for the last four weeks. The owner said that it remains open till midnight as a political party has made it an alternative meeting venue for voters and its candidates. It has increased the business.

"Sales have reached almost 1.5 times compared to that of the normal times. I hope it will be more than double in the final three weeks of the campaign," said the elated owner. The café has already hired two additional staff and procures more meat, vegetables and liquor.

Aabritti Chhapakhana, a company offering creative and printing services in Kathmandu, is busy in designing and printing campaign materials for various candidates from across the country. However, the restriction on printing multi-colour promotional materials and posters has significantly downsized the business. "Unlike in the past, you can't now print multi-colour materials. But business has gone up due to the elections," said Kedar Adhikari, Director of Aabritti. But creative designing promotional content for social media and other online publication have secured a good amount of business.

Although the formal campaign for the March 5 elections for the House of Representatives (HoR) will begin from Monday, political cadres and candidates have begun to hold their meetings to discuss their strategies and increase public relations, and manage materials for it. In the course, they have created a business for local businesses.

Economists have estimated that about Rs. 150 billion is likely to be mobilised during the upcoming elections. While it will not make long-term contributions to the economy, it will make the market vibrant in the short-term.

Hotels and cafes, food producers and distributors, printers and designers, transportation services, fruit and vegetable producers, and tailors are witnessing a significant rise in their business across the country.

Our Saptari correspondent Binaya Karna reported that there has been a notable rise in the businesses of restaurants, printing, groceries and printers. "The number of customers at tea shops, snack outlets and eateries has increased after political parties and candidates’ teams began visiting villages. From morning until evening, snack sales have doubled compared to earlier," said Sagar Sah, a snack shop operator from Rajbiraj Municipality-7.

Likewise, there has also been a notable rise in the printing of election campaign materials. Increased orders for posters, pamphlets, banners and flags have created employment not only in printing presses but also in paper supply, ink production and design services.

The transport sector has likewise benefited from the election. With increased movement of candidates and their supporters, the use of jeeps, motorcycles and e-rickshaws has risen across Tarai. In addition, increased consumption of local vegetables, fruits and other produce has encouraged farmers. As their produce is being sold in the local markets, they are getting good price.

 

Rs. 150 billion's election market

According to economist Keshav Acharya's rough estimates, about Rs. 150 billion will be injected into the market during the election period – about Rs. 33 billion from the government, and about Rs. 15 million from each of the 3,406 candidates filing their candidacy, and also a significant amount from the political parties and supporters.

Meanwhile, voters also make economic contributions through their travels, lodging and fooding as they travel to their home-town to cast votes.

Although the Election Commission (EC) has put a ceiling on the candidates' expenditures with a mention of different expense titles, the past practice has shown that many candidates put a lot of money into their campaign way beyond the limit. "I spent about Rs. 15 million in one-and-a-half months before the general elections in 2022 but my competitor spent almost Rs. 40 million and secured victory," a Nepali Congress leader who lost 2017 elections shared in condition of anonymity.

Some top leaders from the major political parties have long been complaining that the elections have been expensive while some of them turned away from contesting elections.

Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda had said publicly a few years ago that it had become very difficult to win an election without a thick purse. Likewise, CPN-ULM leader Prithvi Subba Gurung had said that the actual election expenses are way above that reported to the EC.

In 2020, then Nepal Communist Party leader Ram Karki had said that it's impossible to win the election without spending about Rs. 250 million. He even went on to say that he was ready to sell his post of the lawmaker if anyone would pay for his expenses made during the election campaign. NC leader Dr. Shashank Koirala said that he spent almost Rs. 60 million in 2017 elections.

"It is true that a few independent and fringe party candidates will spend a small amount during the election, most of the candidates enter the election frays with sound financial planning and backing," said Acharya.

According to a reporting on the monitoring of the election candidates' campaign expenditures during 2017 elections conducted by Samuhik Abhiyan, 57 per cent of the candidates spend more than the limit prescribed by the EC while 90 per cent of them reported significantly lower figures in the expenditure statements submitted to the EC compared to the costs tracked by the monitoring project.

Likewise, more than two-thirds of the candidates exceeded the expenditure limits within the individual prescribed categories.

Major election expenses are made on transportation, food (including meat, vegetables and fruits), fast food, flex and printing, house rental, digital marketing and content creation. 

Former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said that the election market is comprised of two aspects – election market and candidates' market, and both have to be managed financially.

 

A short-term economic uptick  

Experts also say that the Rs. 150 billion spent during the elections make an impact worth Rs. 300 to Rs. 400 billion as it quickly moves from consumers to producers to raw materials suppliers to importers. Likewise, election is the occasion when there is a country-wide expenditure and local economy is also strengthened for a while.

A large amount of it moves out of the country. Diesel, petrol and other petroleum, fruits, mutton, flex materials, rice, pulses, spices and clothes are imported. In addition to that, many candidates in Tarai region use Indian vehicle and send the money out of the country in rental payment. Election expenditures from the parties and candidates are likely to contribute to about Rs. 5 billion to government revenue, according to Acharya.

But these economic activities don't leave a long-term impact. Most of the money spent locally quickly moves to the market and economic centres in the major cities. Especially, increased cash-flow quickly evaporates from the smaller towns and market areas.

 

Illegal money makes its way to market

While many economists and election experts openly said that the illegally owned money comes into the market during the elections, former Finance Minister Surendra Pandey said that could be true in case of few candidates. "I don't think that black money is brought into the market during elections. Many candidates crowdsource their election expenditure and collect a significant amount," he said.

However, he didn't deny of interest-backed support from some businesspersons who wish for the policy influence in their favour. Such financers pay less attention to the small parties and candidates and pay directly to the parties and their top leaders. Prachanda once had lamented that since his party's size shrunk significantly, no businessman was willing to offer them financial support or donations.

But Acharya said that this is the season when illegally amassed money makes it way to the market which is good for the local and national economy.

Use of money is directly related to the integrity of candidates and political parties. It's also about power of ideas versus power of money which has its impact on post-election corruption.

Election or political financing also has its connections with possible money-laundering, indirect promotion of smuggling and corruption. Economists say that more money can finance more propaganda and advertising, thus, manipulating public opinion in the short-term.

Crowdsourcing in practice

Leader of the NCP, Lekhnath Pandey, who is contesting election from Gorkha Constituency 2, said that he is planning to spend less money than the limit prescribed by the EC which is Rs. 2.9 million. "I don't maintain two accounts. I am set to set a national standard that you can manage your election activities at a modest cost," he said while adding that his estimated spending is about Rs. 2.4 million.

This budget doesn't include the expenditures made by the party leaders and cadres in managing food, snacks and rally expenses for him.

Many candidates from the major political parties, including the new ones from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), have begun crowdfunding their elections. Many of them have appealed people in and out of the country to donate small amount of money in order to make them able to finance their election.

Pandey is raising Rs. 100 to Rs. 1000 from his party members and well-wishers. However, party members or supporters who run a business and who are employed abroad provide additional support as well.

According to leaders, those who offer financial support to the candidates remain loyal to them during the elections with many of them campaigning in their favour. Campaign period should be reduced to a maximum of 10 days to two weeks in order to bring down the election expenses by the candidates and political parties.

 

Effort to control expenses

The EC has issued fresh directives for the first time mandating the candidates to accept donations in their bank accounts and make expenditures from the same account. But in absence of robust tracking mechanism, its implementation is under scrutiny.

Now, political parties and candidates are required to conduct all election-related financial activities through dedicated bank accounts to ensure transparency and traceability. All transactions must be made in Nepali currency using formal banking instruments.

Donations above Rs. 25,000 must be deposited into the campaign account, while those exceeding Rs. 100,000 require full donor identification and tax details. The EC has prohibited funding from government bodies, government-linked entities, public limited companies, educational institutions, NGOs, foreign sources, and anonymous donors. The measures aim to regulate campaign financing, prevent illicit funding, and promote accountability and transparency in the electoral process, said the EC.

According to the directives, the chief of the relevant Treasury and Accounts Controller Office has been tasked as the Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Officer. But they lack the system and equipment for monitoring and tracking the candidates' expenses.

Spokesperson of the EC, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, said that the election body will strictly implement the code of conduct and bank account procedure.

He also maintained that candidates and parties not adhering to the prescribed procedure would be punished. "Even a general punishment like publishing notice about their malpractice and a small fine can create awareness in the voters so as not to vote those candidates again," said Bhattarai.

However, civil society members say that there should be strict measures to those going against the code of conduct such as punishment like restriction from contesting elections and scrapping candidacy.

Digital transaction is a likely solution.

"If we could make all transactions digital and track the expenditures digitally, reckless expenditures by the candidates could be checked," said Pandey while adding that until the physical currency continues to circulate in the market, controlling would be tiresome. All transactions should be cashless, he said.

Digital transactions and its thorough audit will bring the candidates of various economic hierarchy to the same level.

There should be policy reform for the digitalisaiton of election expenditures, maintain comprehensive details of the properties of the candidates, and record procurements made by the parties and candidates, suggested Pandey.

Experts also suggested for third-party monitoring as the EC doesn't have human and logistic resources. Integrated efforts by the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority, and the intelligence agencies, and crowdsourcing of information about malpractice and misuse of money can be effective. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 15 February 2026.    

PM Karki reviews election preparation in Himalayan districts

Kathmandu, Feb. 13

While preparing for the forthcoming election and assessing the situation in the Himalayan districts, Prime Minister Sushila Karki held interactions with local residents and government officials in the Pathibhara and Phungling areas of Taplejung on Friday.

She offered prayers at the renowned pilgrimage site of Pathibhara early morning, and interacted with local people and pilgrims from various sectors gathered there, according to the Prime Minister's Office.

Stating that she had visited the shrine to pray for the success of the election and urged everyone to participate by casting their votes. "Please play your part from your respective places to make the election peaceful. This election is not a routine one like previous regular polls. It is being held under special circumstances. It must provide an outlet for the country. This is an election that will shape the nation’s future,” she said.

She was welcomed at Pathibhara by Rakki Thebe, Chairperson of the Pathibhara Area Development Committee, and priest Dilliram Paudel, among others.

From Pathibhara, Prime Minister Karki travelled to Phungling, the district headquarters of Taplejung, on Friday, where she held discussions with government officials.

Chief Election Officer and District Judge Bikash Shrestha, Chief District Officer Shiva Raj Sedhain, Commander Umesh Khadka of the Nepal Army’s Durgadal Company, Taplejung Police Chief Deputy Superintendent of Police Bed Prasad Gautam, and Armed Police Force No. 1 Company Headquarters Kanchenjunga Commander and DSP Pramod Prakash Pathak, among others, briefed the Prime Minister on election preparations and the security situation.

According to CDO Sedhain, Taplejung, which has 90,327 voters and a single election constituency has designated 82 polling stations, including two temporary ones. Of these, four polling stations are located in geographically remote and high Himalayan areas.

Although the weather has so far remained normal with no significant adverse conditions, he noted that snowfall could make it difficult for staff to travel for polling duties. He also requested arrangements for transporting ballot boxes by helicopter.

Sedhain further stated that the security situation in Taplejung has remained normal so far, with no untoward incidents, and that close coordination among all four security agencies has ensured confidence that election activities can be conducted smoothly in the coming days.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Karki directed that the election be conducted in such a way that it would set a benchmark for the future in terms of peace, security, integrity, and economy. “Your efforts in preparing for the election are commendable. Seeing your dedication has further strengthened my confidence,” she said.

According to PM Karki, March 5 election is a significant milestone in transforming the country into a new phase. "As it will have a long-term impact on the life of the nation, we must all demonstrate the corresponding seriousness and sense of responsibility. Therefore, this election must set a standard for the future — in peace, security, integrity, and cost-effectiveness. Please ensure that it does so, by all means,” she said.

Prime Minister Karki returned to Kathmandu on Friday after completing her two-day visit. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 14 February 2026.    

Election Commission mandates strict Banking procedures for campaign financing

Kathmandu, Feb. 3

In an effort to bolster fiscal transparency and accountability during the upcoming parliamentary elections, the Election Commission of Nepal has implemented the ‘Procedures on Election Campaign for Parliamentary Member - Bank Account (Account Handling and Management) 2082’.

The new directive mandates that all political parties and candidates must channel their election-related financial activities through dedicated bank accounts, ensuring a traceable and regulated flow of campaign funds.

Transparency is further enforced by the requirement that all transactions must be conducted in Nepali currency. Any expenditure for campaigning—including payments for podiums, rallies, or publicity—must be made via cheques, drafts, electronic means, or other negotiable instruments.

While parties and candidates can accept donations, there are strict thresholds and ‘no-go’ sectors. Any assistance exceeding Rs. 25,000 from a citizen or an organisation must be deposited directly into the campaign bank account. For donations exceeding Rs. 100,000, the recipient is legally bound to record the donor’s name, address, occupation, Permanent Account Number (PAN), and the source of the funds, including a declaration of its tax status.

The EC has barred the political parties and candidates from raising financial aid from several sectors, including government agencies at all levels, institutions with full or partial government ownership, public limited companies that issued the Initial Public Offering, and educational institutions like universities and schools.

Likewise, they can’t collect funds from national and international non-government organisations, foreign governments, foreign institutions or foreign individuals, and anonymous donors or undisclosed entities.

Under the new regulations, political parties and individual candidate are required to submit their applications to the EC in a prescribed format. The political parties must provide an official letter from the party, and the candidates must provide evidence of their candidacy or a valid identity card. They must also submit a signature specimen card from the chosen financial institution and a copy of the Nepali citizenship certificate of the person(s) designated to operate the account.

Once the EC verifies these documents, it will issue a formal recommendation to the bank to open the account, notifying the Treasury and Accounts Controller Office and Election Offices to ensure oversight from the outset.

As per the procedures, a political party's account must be operated by a maximum of two officials designated by the party, requiring joint signatures for all transactions. For individual candidates, the account can be managed by the candidate themselves or an authorised representative, either through a single signature or joint signatures of up to two people.

Monitoring and Closure

The chief of the relevant Treasury and Accounts Controller Office has been tasked as the Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Officer. Their role involves continuous surveillance to ensure that public property is not misused and that campaign spending remains within the limits set by the EC.

Following the conclusion of the election, candidates and parties must make their expenditure details public and submit a report to the Election Office. The EC will then order the closure of the bank accounts within 35 days of the final report's preparation.

However, in a bid to maintain a long-term audit trail, all bank account records must be securely preserved for a minimum of six years, according to the procedures.

Joint Spokesperson of the EC Kul GC expressed his confidence that these new procedures will help to enhance transparency in election financing, both raising funds and expenditures.

“We want to set a new good culture in election financing. This is the starting point. But the EC would put its efforts through the election and treasury offices in better monitoring the mobilisation of the funds,” said GC.

 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 February 2026.  

India hands over over 250 vehicles in second tranche

Kathmandu, Jan. 29

The second tranche of election-related assistance from India has been handed over to Nepal.

Charge d’affaires of the Embassy of India in Nepal Dr. Rakesh Pandey handed over more than 250 vehicles to the Government of Nepal in a programme held at the Ministry of Finance at the Singha Durbar in Kathmandu on Thursday.

These supplies are a part of the assistance sought by the government in connection with preparations for the upcoming elections in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Finance Minister Rameshore Prasad Khanal thanked the government and people of India for the supplies and appreciated their significance in preparations for the upcoming elections, according to the Embassy.

The first tranche of such election-related assistance by the Government of India was handed over to Nepal on January 20. More deliveries are expected to take place in batches in the coming weeks.

“The ongoing cooperation and support from the Indian side is not only an apt reflection of the multi-faceted and multi-sectoral development partnership that exists between both countries, but also symbolises the deep mutual trust and friendship between the people of Nepal and India,” read a statement issued by the Embassy. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 30 January 2026. 

CNI seeks national consensus on economic development

Kathmandu, Jan. 18

The Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI) has sought a national consensus and a shared vision paper on economic development from the political parties contesting in the upcoming general elections.

It suggested that, through national consensus, a long-term vision for the country’s development, priority sectors and projects, and a time-bound action plan for implementation should be clearly outlined.

"Drawing lessons from the experiences and practices of the neighbouring countries we need to carve the future pathways for economic development. We urge the political parties to place the economic agenda as the top priority while preparing their election manifestos," CNI President Birendra Raj Pandey said in an interaction with journalists in Kathmandu on Sunday.

He presented a set of suggestions on issues that political parties should prioritise in their manifestos. CNI said the recommendations made public on Sunday will be discussed with national-level political parties.

It also maintained that the political parties must realise the contemporary economic context and challenges and accord due priority to those agenda in their election manifesto. CNI wants all political parties giving priority to the policies on skills and employment, infrastructure development, good governance, innovation, cottage, small and medium enterprises, IT-based industries, energy, tourism and agriculture, forest and environment

"We have felt that political agenda has gained priority and economic concerns have taken a back seat in the recent political discussions," said Pandey while adding that although political parties include economic agendas in their manifestos, these priorities often fail to receive due attention during implementation once they are in government.

According to CNI, policy instability due to rapidly changing government leadership, unpredictable tax policies and rates especially in the sectors of the electric vehicle, IT and services, iron and sponge iron sector had negatively impacted the private sector's morale.

In the last three decades, an average tenure of a prime minister has remained just 1.18 years which came down to 1.10 years in the recent 17 years. In the last 30 years, Nepal's average economic growth rate hovered around 4 per cent and remained below the annual estimates, except in two occasions – in the aftermath of the 2015 Earthquake and COVID-19.

Export contributes only 4.5 per cent to the Gross Domestic Product of the country while imports constitute about 30 per cent which was above 38 per cent four years ago.

"If we have to take the country onto the path of rapid development, the share of industrial sector in the national economy should be doubled from the current 12 per cent. Rate of Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) should also be improved drastically," said Pandey.

Pandey stated that there is a need to bridge the wide gap often seen between the policies and programmes formulated by the government, the budget, and their implementation.

Likewise, he said that although economic policies and plans should continue for the country’s economic development, priorities have frequently changed, and a lack of ownership of policies and programmes has caused the country to lag economically. He added that although good governance is often discussed rhetorically, its absence in practice has raised concerns among the general public.

According to Pandey, institutions and individuals responsible for implementing declared economic policies and plans should be made more accountable.

Similarly, the CNI emphasised the need to move forward with the goal of expanding the current economy of around USD 44 billion to USD 100 billion within the next 10 years.

To this end, it is conducting a comprehensive study with the involvement of national and international experts, which is expected to be completed and made public within the next few months.

Speaking on the occasion, Senior Vice President Nirvan Chaudhary said that all political parties should prepare their election manifestos with the economy at the centre and clearly outline how the country will move forward in terms of development in the coming days.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 19 January 2026. 

Youth tilt toward new parties, yet question their sustainability

Kathmandu, Jan. 16

Nearly 60 per cent of voters intend to seek out new political parties rather than repeat their choices from the previous election, according to a preliminary report of Nepal Voters’ Survey conducted by the Centre for Policy Research (CPR) and published on Friday.

The survey was conducted in early December 2025 with 1,100 participants in 34 districts, including one district with a high urban population from each province, based on population.

It found that while about 41 per cent of the electorate has already decided which party to support in the elections slated for March 5 this year, a substantial 40 per cent remain in the process of deciding or are currently undecided.

The findings have indicated an uncertain political future of the country, as 43 per cent of participants said that they would split their vote across different parties for the First-Past-The-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR). It means that the parties that might not be able to see their candidates in direct polls will be sending more members to the parliament, thus increasing the chances for a hung parliament.

Likewise, the survey identified a generational pivot, with over 50 per cent of respondents believing that the Gen-Zs will play a decisive role in the final results of the elections. Among them, about 19 per cent said that this demographic group will be completely decisive.

However, the high participation of youth in the survey seemed to have affected the results. More than 55 per cent of the respondents are between 18 and 35 years of age. Likewise, 18 per cent are from the 36 to 45 years age group and 15 per cent 46 to 55 years age group. Women constituted 34 per cent of the sample.

 

Reliance on social media despite low trust

According to the survey results, 39 per cent of voters now rely on social media for political news, while 16 per cent obtain such information from national online media, 14.5 per cent from local online media, 9.2 per cent from newspapers and above 8 per cent each from radio and television.

But they have questioned the credibility of social media in terms of political news. Only 12.6 per cent have full trust in social media, but more than 51 per cent remained neutral about the credibility. This may present a fertile ground for the producers of propaganda and misinformation during the elections. However, the lack of complete trust in social media indicates that voters will critically evaluate information received through social platforms.

Although half of the respondents have low or no interest in politics and only 21 per cent of them have a high interest in it, 91 per cent of them said that they will vote, indicating enthusiasm in participating in the elections.

 

Economic issues get priority

In an interesting turn, the survey found that, unlike ideological or identity-based slogans that dominated the previous elections, the 2026 election appears to be shaping up as an economic referendum. Over 80 per cent of respondents cited economic indicators as the most influential factors. Issues such as inflation, employment opportunities, and personal income are set to be more decisive than regional or ethnic identity.

Voters also indicated that they are prioritising the personal integrity of candidates over party labels. Honesty, an anti-corruption image, and transparency were ranked as the top qualities sought in a representative, followed by education and health infrastructure as the primary areas requiring immediate government improvement.

Similarly, less than 20 per cent of the 1,100 respondents believe the upcoming election will be conducted fairly.

Meanwhile, 70 per cent of citizens believe the country is moving in the wrong direction. Nearly 60 per cent of citizens expressed scepticism regarding the ability of traditional parties to deliver radical improvements.

While new political parties are viewed more favourably, they have yet to secure a majority mandate of trust, with 75 per cent of voters questioning their long-term sustainability and stability.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 January 2026. 

Be vigilant not to let money influence polls: PM

Kathmandu, Jan. 16

Prime Minister Sushila Karki said that communities themselves must remain vigilant to prevent the influence of money in elections.

“There are complaints that money played a role in the past. If corruption is to be ended, it must begin with elections. Voters must also be alert in this regard,” she said to the delegation from the Nepal Tamang Ghedung that met her on Friday to discuss issues including the population of the Tamang community, its culture, and its socio-economic conditions.

Likewise, she said that as elections are the only democratic way out of the present situation, she expects cooperation from all sections and strata of society.

According to her, the country has entered the election period. This is not an election under normal circumstances; it is an election that will provide an exit for the country and take it towards lasting stability.

“Let us keep September 8 and 9 in mind. This situation must not be repeated. We must move in line with the aspirations of the youth. You too should ensure that new, young and honest members of parliament are elected and sent to the parliament in the coming election. The country can no longer be run with an old mentality,” said PM Karki.

She also maintained that old thinking and old styles will not work either. “Now there must be something new—youth must come forward, and honest people must come forward. Government must be run in accordance with the sentiments of the youth,” she stated.

On the occasion, the office-bearers of the Ghedung drew the Prime Minister’s attention to the fact that although the Tamang community’s population exceeds three million, census errors have shown it to be only around 1.7 million.

They appreciated her for coming forward to handle the current difficult situation and also wished her success.

On the occasion, the Ghedung also informed her that it is planning to organise a Tamang Cultural Festival and a goodwill exchange programme in Kathmandu on the occasion of Sonam Lhosar on January 19, Monday.

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 17 January 2026. 

Election date will not be postponed: Minister Kharel

Chitwan, Jan. 3

Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel has said that the date of the election will not be postponed.

Talking to journalists in Bharatpur, Chitwan, on Saturday, he urged the public not to follow rumours suggesting that the election date would be changed.

“The country has already entered the election phase. All political parties have begun the electoral process. In such a situation, saying that the date will be postponed is a meaningless reaction,” he said.

While inspecting the newly constructed building of the National News Agency, Minister Kharel requested media organisations to focus on creating a positive election environment. He said, “The parties have already submitted their closed lists of the proportionate representatives (PR) candidates. Election-focused programmes have begun. The Commission has already moved forward with its work.”

Meanwhile, during another discussion held at the building of the Federation of Nepali Journalists, Chitwan branch, Minister Kharel stressed that everyone working in all media outlets in Nepal should be affiliated with the Social Security Fund (SSF). He said that employees and journalists associated with state-run media are being enrolled in the SSF.

Government media such as Gorkhapatra Corporation and Nepal Television have joined this process.

Stating that preparatory work is under way to sustain self-employed and independent media, he said, “In particular, work is being done on how to move forward by linking new media—such as YouTube, online television and similar platforms—with the state.”

According to him, the public welfare advertisements must be organised so that everyone can benefit from them.

Noting that he has received information that some media outlets are on the verge of closure due to weak financial conditions, he said, “The government will work towards resolving the problems of all media outlets. It has been difficult to improve the financial situation because, in many cases, a single journalist is running a single media organisation.”

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 4 January 2026. 

Major parties ready for March 5 polls

PM and top leaders of major parties meet again

 Kathmandu, Dec. 27

The toop leaders of three major political parties have expressed their readiness to participate in the election scheduled for March 5, 2026.

During a meeting convened by Prime Minister Sushila Karki at Baluwatar on Saturday, top leaders of the three main parties committed to taking part in the election.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, Nepali Congress President and former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba said, “All political parties are ready to go to the election. The Congress is ready. The UML is ready. Other parties are also ready. The government must ensure a secure environment.”

Chair of the CPN-UML and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli as well as Coordinator of the Nepal Communist Party, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’, also expressed their commitment to participating in the election.

Speaking at the meeting with the leaders, PM Karki said that to devote herself fully to the election, setting aside administrative affairs, she handed over all ministries under her responsibility, except defence, to other ministers.

Urging the leaders to think of the nation’s future and ensure a stable and sustainable democracy by making the election successful, she said, “This is our collective responsibility. This is the sole purpose for which I invited you here today.”

“What I wish to request by inviting you here is that we make this election successful at any cost. Everyone must participate in it. I can see that you are already prepared for the election, and that such an environment is taking shape,” she said while adding, “This is a welcome step.”

According to her, the government has provided the Election Commission and the police administration with the necessary resources as per their requests. The morale of the security personnel has increased, she maintained.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel said that the conclusion of the meeting was that all parties should participate wholeheartedly in the elections.

“UML Chair Oli said that his party is ready to go to the elections and requested the government to make a conducive environment for it. Likewise, PM Karki has assured the top leaders of the major political parties of a safe environment for the election,” he said.

He said that the election will be held on the said date and time.

Minister Kharel stated that Prachanda appreciated the work of the government and said that all parties to make preparations for the elections. He urged the NC and UML for the same.

“All leaders said that an agreement had been made to participate in the elections, and urged me to deliver this message to the people,” he said.

Earlier on Friday, Minister Kharel visited the top leaders of the major parties as a preparation for the meeting of Saturday. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 28 December 2025.

PM Karki urges citizens to have voter identity card

Kathmandu, Nov. 7

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has urged all citizens to obtain their voter identity cards.

Issuing a video statement on Friday, she said, “To make proper use of your voting rights, visit your nearest election office today and get your voter identity card made.”

According to her, in a democratic society, there are two fundamental means to realise the dreams of citizens. First, the individual conscience of citizens. That conscience which chooses what is right, does not do wrong, and does not allow wrongdoing. Second, the official tool to exercise that conscience — the voter identity card.

“To realise Nepal as dreamt by Gen-Z youth and all Nepalis, the first thing we must do is obtain our voter identity cards. Then, by using them wisely, we must choose the right representatives,” said PM Karki.

She said that one should either be the right representative or choose the right one through an election.

“Let every eligible citizen make good use of their voting rights to stand against existing injustices and move forward together in the nation’s development,” she urged. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 November 2025.        

No one should harbour doubts about polls: Minister Kharel

Kathmandu, Nov. 4

Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel has said that no one should doubt about elections happening on the stipulated date on March 5, 2026.

"The government is prepared to hold the elections on the scheduled date and to transfer power to a political party-led government. We are in regular and rigorous discussion with the political parties to create a conducive environment for the election," he said with the editors and news chiefs of the state-run media outlets.

The meeting was represented by editors and senior journalists from Radio Nepal, Nepal Television, Gorkhapatra daily, The Rising Nepal daily and Rastriya Samachar Samiti (RSS).

Minister Kharel said that failure to conduct the elections on the fixed date could push the country into further crisis. He emphasised that the government is committed to creating necessary environment to ensure the election takes place as planned and sought the support from media and general people in conducting it in free and fair manner. 

"The government is working to establish a reliable security environment for the polls and called on all political parties to extend their cooperation in this regard," he said.

Minister Kharel reiterated that maintaining good governance and addressing the demands of the Gen Z expressed through the movements in September have also been the on the high-priority list of the government.

  Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 5 November 2025.     

Prime Minister reaffirms commitment to timely polls

Chief Ministers pledge support for House elections

Kathmandu, Nov. 2

Chief Ministers of all seven provinces expressed their readiness to cooperate with the federal government in creating a conducive environment to hold elections to the House of Representatives on March 5, 2026

During a meeting with Prime Minister Sushila Karki in Baluwatar on Sunday, they appreciated Prime Minister Karki’s efforts to advance dialogue and consultations with political parties and all concerned stakeholders to create an election-friendly environment in the country.

The chief ministers voiced their belief that such initiatives would be fruitful in building a positive atmosphere for the elections, according to a statement issued by the PM's Office Sunday evening.

They noted that maintaining peace and security remains the major challenge for the elections and stressed the need for serious commitment in this regard. They further remarked that, with mutual cooperation, coordination, and a spirit of coexistence among the federal, provincial, and local governments, elections could be successfully held on the scheduled date.

“I represent the CPN-UML. We are not against elections. However, the federal government should take the lead in creating a conducive environment for the polls and must not forget our role in it. The only way forward now is through elections,” said Yam Lal Kandel, Chief Minister of Karnali.

The chief ministers suggested that the federal government should introduce a special package for the reconstruction of structures damaged during the Gen-Z movement.

"They also expressed concern that the federal government’s recent circular on expenditure reduction appeared to interfere with the jurisdiction of the provincial governments," read the statement.

The circular has directed that no ministry may appoint more assistants or advisers than permitted by law and that all projects worth over Rs. 1 million must go through a mandatory competitive bidding process.

Some chief ministers also voiced suspicion that, while the government formed after the Gen-Z movement had failed to undertake judicial and administrative reforms, the circular seemed targeted mainly at limiting the facilities of provincial political office holders.

Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Jitendra Prasad Sonar, called for the announcement of relief measures for farmers affected by droughts and excessive rainfall.

Likewise, the chief ministers also drew attention to the federal government’s decision to disconnect electricity lines of industries failing to clear their dues for dedicated feeders, noting that such a move would negatively impact industries, workers, and government revenue.

Prime Minister Karki said that as political parties are the custodians of the current system, the government is eager to hold elections at the earliest and transfer power to a party-based government.

  Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 3 November 2025.     

We have sole mandate to hold free, fair election: PM

PM Karki's briefing to diplomats

Kathmandu, Oct. 17

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has said that holding election to the House of Representatives (HoR) is the sole and non-negotiable mandate the government is pursuing.

“This non-political, transitional government has one sole and non-negotiable mandate: to hold free, fair, and impartial general elections to the House of Representatives on March 5, 2026,” she said at a briefing to the Kathmandu-based diplomats at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Friday.  PM Karki is also looking after the Foreign Ministry.

Stating that the government is committed to a maximum six-month term, after which they will peacefully hand over power to a democratically elected government, she said that current priority is internal stability.

“We are not here to pursue a political agenda, but to pave the way for a new, legitimate one. We will serve as a neutral buffer that guarantees a predictable and secure environment for the democratic process,” she maintained.

According to her, the government is fully engaged in all preparatory works and the state's resources are being directed toward creating the necessary conditions—security, legal frameworks, and logistical preparation—for a credible election.

“We are empowering the Election Commission, improving security and holding dialogues with all political parties and stakeholders, including the Gen-Z representatives,” said PM Karki, adding that the government is also exploring the possibility of an external voting system to progressively realise the principle of universal suffrage for Nepali nationals temporarily living abroad.

As in previous elections, international observation will continue to play an important role in upholding the transparency and credibility of this historic democratic exercise.

PM Karki expected political parties to constructively engage with the new generation.

Likewise, she stated that the government uncovered not only the massive challenges of corruption and misrules in our systems but also the immense potential for reform. This is indeed the moment to rebuild trust, strengthen institutions and steer governance toward greater transparency and better public service.

PM Karki reiterated that her government embodies the people’s overwhelming demand for integrity and the rule of law. She also claimed that the government is determined to set the highest possible benchmark in governance performance, aiming to demonstrate that the government can indeed deliver efficiently, transparently, and responsively.

“We are taking immediate steps to ensure accountability for the past and present. We have constituted a Judicial Inquiry Commission with a clear mandate to ascertain facts and examine underlying causes of the recent violence,” she stated. Furthermore, the government is also taking immediate steps to launch credible, impartial investigations into allegations of high-profile corruption, demonstrating that no one is above the law.

According to PM Karki, the national budget to promote transparency and close avenues for misuse of public funds and have opened files to prosecute entrenched corruption. A series of policy reforms has been carried out to boost the private sector, recognising it as the key engine of economic growth and job creation.

“These steps are just the beginning. Economic and political reforms are not just the demands of the Gen-Z, but the aspirations of every Nepali citizen,” PM Karki stated.

Stating that while focusing on elections, Nepal must also manage the immediate post-crisis economic recovery, she appreciated international support to restore business confidence, and to address the consequences of the infrastructure damage, and ensure the basic functioning of essential public services until the new government takes office.

She also sought support of the development partners in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of infrastructure damaged during the movement are urgent.

“Nepal stands at a critical juncture as we prepare to graduate from the LDC status next year. The road ahead may be difficult, but we are determined to make our graduation smooth, irreversible, and sustainable,” PM Karki said. 

  Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 18 October 2025.     

EC publishes final list of voters

Kathmandu, Jan. 7

The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) Sunday published the final list of the voters for the National Assembly election scheduled for January 25.

The EC informed that there would be 2047 voters – 549 members from the provincial assemblies and 1498 chiefs and deputies from the local bodies – in the election of the National Assembly of the Federal Parliament.

Province-wide data showed that the largest number of voters is in Madhes Province totalling 374 voters including 107  Provincial Assembly members and 267 local-level chiefs and deputies.

In Koshi, there are 367 voters with 93 PA members and 274 local-level chiefs and deputies who will have the right to vote in the National Assembly election.

 Likewise, there are 347 voters in Bagmati province with 110 PA members and 237 local level people's representatives.

In Gandaki, there are 230 voters including 60 PA members and 170 representatives from the local governments while there are 305 voters in Lumbini which is comprised of 87 PA members and 218 chiefs and deputies of the local government.

Similarly, Lumbini has 87 voters from the PA and 218 from the local governments for the NA election while the number in Karnali PA is 40 and 156 from local bodies.

Sudurpashchim province has 53 voters from the PA and 176 chiefs and deputies from the local governments.

According to the ECN, Karnali has the lowest number of voters followed by Sudurpashchim and Gandaki with 196, 228 and 230 voters respectively.

Every voter from the Provincial Assembly will have a vote weightage 53 while local bodies' chiefs and deputies' vote weightage is 19. The total vote weightage of PA members is 29,097 and local body representatives' weightage is 28,462. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 8 January 2024.

Polling centres need to be disabled-friendly: Election observers

Kathmandu, Nov. 20

The Election Observation Committee Nepal (EOC-Nepal) and National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said on Sunday that the voters, especially, the disabled ones had to face difficulty to exercise their suffrage rights due to the restriction on vehicular movement and inaccessible polling centres.

According to the NHRC, in some polling stations in Palpa, Ramechhap, Bhojpur and other districts, it has been reported that the voters had to walk for four to five hours to go to vote, and due to strictness in the distribution of vehicle passes from the district administration office, there was a problem in getting disabled voters to the polling station and back home. The human rights body has noted that most of the polling stations across the country were not friendly for disabled people.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission Nepal (ECN) was criticised for the negligence shown in making the polling centres and booths disabled people-friendly.

The EOC Nepal also found that the weakness in terms of making the polling centres accessible to women and disabled-people.

 "In some places, disabled people have reached polling stations by crawling, in crochets, with the support from their relatives while some people misused the voting rights of disabled-people which created brief conflict among the representatives of political parties as well," it said in a statement.

Similarly, this year too, the complaint that many people could not feel the impact of election education and voter education in a physical way remained the same. During the silent period (fixed time), the complaints of feasting, distribution of money, and distribution of clothes continued and the violation of the code of conduct was widespread in different ways, noted EOC Nepal.

"When our observers reached the polling stations in course of supervision, it was found that the voters returning after casting their votes were treated with food. Cadres of political parties have been distributing Rs. 100 and Rs. 200 to buy cigarettes," said the EOC Nepal.

In addition, there was the atmosphere where the voters should be afraid because of the fear and slander of the political parties and candidates and false information and hateful expressions. The EOC Nepal has not directly questioned the fairness of the election but stressed on the need to make the election clean and more accountable. It has drawn the attention of the ECN towards making improvements in polling centres and in the management of voting materials, and making the voters education more effective. It also said that the enthusiasm was lacking in the voters, especially in the young ones.

Likewise, the NHRC said that about 27,000 inmates could not exercise their voting rights while the voters were distributed different ballot papers in some polling stations creating confusions in the voters. However, despite bomb explosions and geographical hardships, the voters managed to reach the polling centres to cast their votes.

Forty-two teams comprised of the officials and former officials of the NHRC and other constitutional bodies were mobilised in election observation. Similarly, the EOC Nepal has mobilised 523 observers in 77 districts. 

Published in The Rising Nepal daily on 21 November 2022.