Nepal Votes in Key Election After 2025 Protests
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Kathmandu
- Mar 05, 2026
- 641
Nepal witnessed a significant democratic exercise as voting for the country’s general elections was conducted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. across all 77 districts. According to the Election Commission of Nepal, voter turnout reached approximately 60 percent by noon, indicating strong public participation. Voting, however, continued in several remote and mountainous areas, and the final turnout figures are expected to be released shortly.
Vote counting is scheduled to begin at 12 p.m. after polling concludes. Authorities expect the results to be finalised within the next 24 hours.
Earlier in the day, interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki cast her vote at a polling station in Dhapasi, Kathmandu. Speaking to reporters, she remarked that her responsibility in the electoral process had now been fulfilled and expressed hope that the election would decisively shape Nepal’s future political direction.
The election is drawing considerable international attention as it marks Nepal’s first general poll since the violent youth protests of September 2025 that led to the collapse of the government headed by former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Following his resignation, an interim administration was established under the leadership of Karki to oversee the electoral process.
Several prominent political figures are seen as frontrunners in the race for the premiership, including former Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah, former prime minister KP Sharma Oli, and senior Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa.
A total of 65 political parties are participating in the election, reflecting a highly competitive political landscape. To facilitate the process, more than 23,000 polling stations have been established across the country.
Nearly 19 million voters have registered to participate in the election, including around 800,000 first-time voters. The minimum voting age in Nepal remains 18, and nearly one million additional voters have been registered compared to the parliamentary elections held in November 2022.
Analysts note that the youth-led protests that reshaped Nepal’s political landscape last year have significantly heightened public interest in politics, particularly among younger voters participating in the electoral process for the first time.