- Friday, 20 February 2026
Kathmandu, Feb 20: The Election Commission (EC) is set to use the popular social media platform for election publicity.
In view of the upcoming March 5 elections to the House of Representatives (HoR), the EC has come up with a campaign to create TikTik video messages.
As informed, the EC is conducting TikTok video message creation competition so as to reach out among the voters with election messages.
According to the EC, such competition has been advanced for election publicity and voters’ education.
A one-minute TikTok video based on topics such as election code of conduct and voter education has to be created and shared through one’s social media.
Likewise, the TikTok has also be sent to the EC’s email by March 1. The EC will award the TikTok with the highest number of viewers among all the TikToks received by the commission.
The EC will provide first award amounting to Rs 50,000 to the one with the most viewers, Rs 30,000 to the second, and Rs 20,000 to the third along with certificates.
The TikTok videos should be prepared in the context of the House of Representatives election, 2026.
The videos should be interactive and message-oriented. Priority will be given to videos with original content, audio, and acting, the EC stated.
The videos should provide general information about the election, need for the election, its importance, correct way to mark the ballot, compliance with the election code of conduct, and information about voters’ rights and duties.
The selection of the best video will be made by independent experts and the Commission, the notice stated.
—
02- Light rain and snowfall likely today
Kathmandu, Feb 20: The westerly low pressure system presently has a partial influence in the country, the Weather Forecasting Division stated.
Fog/mist is prevailing in some places of the Terai region during the morning. The Himalayan regions of Koshi, Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces will generally be cloudy, it is stated.
This afternoon the Himalayan region of Karnali and Sudurpashchim provinces, as well as the hilly regions of the country, will be partly cloudy, while the weather in the remaining Terai region will be mainly fair.
There is a possibility of light rain/snowfall at one or two places in the high hilly and Himalayan region of Koshi, Bagmati, Gandaki, and Karnali provinces.
Tonight there will be hazy conditions in a few places of the Terai region. In the Koshi provinces and the Himalayan region of Bagmati, and Gandaki provinces there will be partly cloudy, while the weather in the remaining region will be mainly fair.
—
03- World Social Justice Day being observed today
Kathmandu, Feb 20: The World Social Justice Day is being observed with diverse programmes in various countries today.
This day is observed every year under the auspices of the International Labour Organization (ILO).
According to the resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 26 November 2007, it was decided to observe this day every year on 20 February since 2009.
The main purpose of this day is to call on the global community to unite for promoting social justice, equal opportunities, labour rights and decent work.
—
04- UAE leaders extend National Democracy Day greetings
Kathmandu, Feb 20: President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a congratulatory message to President Ramchandra Paudel on the occasion of the National Democracy Day of Nepal.
In the congratulatory message delivered on Thursday, the UAE President extended best wishes to President Paudel, as well as the Government of Nepal and the people on the occasion, the UAE Embassy in Kathmandu stated.
Likewise, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also sent messages of congratulation and best wishes to President Paudel on the occasion of the National Democracy Day of Nepal.
—
05- 76th Democracy Day celebrated in Portugal
Kathmandu, Feb 20: Foreign Secretary of Nepal Amrit Bahadur Rai and Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Portuguese Republic Dr. Ana Isabel Xavier jointly inaugurated the Chancery of the Embassy of Nepal amid a special ceremony on Thursday.
On the occasion, Foreign Secretary Rai expressed his gratitude to the Government of the Portuguese Republic for its continued support and facilitation for the successful establishment of the Embassy.
He also expressed his confidence that the Embassy will act as a bridge to further strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Secretary of State Dr. Xavier, expressing her happiness to host the Embassy of Nepal in Portugal, assured the continued support of the Portuguese Government for the smooth functioning of the Embassy.
Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Andres Carrascosa Coso, welcomed the Embassy as a new member of the diplomatic corps in Lisbon, it is stated.
On the occasion, Ambassador of Nepal to Portugal Prakash Mani Paudel welcomed the distinguished guests and thanked the Portuguese Government for its support in the establishment of the Embassy.
High-ranking officials, including Secretary General Ambassador Francisco Ribeiro Telles, Chief of Protocol Ambassador Francisco Vaz Patto of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials of other Portuguese government agencies, Ambassadors and members of the diplomatic corps, and media persons were present on the occasion.
Similarly in the evening, the Embassy of Nepal hosted an event to celebrate the 76th Democracy Day of Nepal in the presence of the representatives of NRNA and various Nepali community organizations.
On the occasion, Ambassador Paudel welcomed the guests while Foreign Secretary Rai, highlighting the significance of the Democracy Day, stressed the need for unity among Nepali communities in Portugal.
Following the celebration, the Embassy organized an interaction programme with Nepali community members.
The participants raised several issues and concerns related to consular services and promotion of trade, tourism and investment between Nepal and Portugal.
Foreign Secretary Rai responded to the queries and noted the concerns of the participants and assured them of every possible support from the Embassy and the Ministry of Foreign Affair.
—
06- 6,622 students of Pokhara University being graduated today
Gandaki, Feb 20: A total of 6,622 students of the Pokhara University are being graduated today.
According to the PU’s information officer Lok Prasad Dhakal, degrees will be awarded to those attaining higher education in various levels and faculties at the 21st convocation to be held today at Pokhara Metropolitan City-30 Khudi Dhungepatan.
Among the graduates are 3,625 students from the Faculty of Management; 2,506 from the Faculty of Science and Technology, 365 from Health Sciences, and 126 from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences.
On this occasion, the student attaining the highest score in the Master’s level will receive the ‘Chancellor Medal’ and the student with highest score in Bachelor’s level will receive the ‘Vice-Chancellor Medal’.
For the highest score in the BCA level, programme, the ‘Oxford’ medal will be awarded.
—
