- Monday, 22 December 2025
Kathmandu, Dec 21: As the election to the House of Representatives (HoR) scheduled for March 5 is approaching, the government has zeroed in on the poll preparations.
The Election Commission of Nepal, political parties and the security bodies have also oriented their focus towards the HoR election, officials and observers shared.
A total of 114 political parties were registered in the EC for taking part in the poll, while the government has also approved the integrated election security plan, a major initiative to conduct the poll in a free, fair and fearless manner.
Senior Vice Chairman of Loktantrik Samajwadi Party Nepal Laxman Lal Karn shared that his party has beefed up preparations for the poll, which he said include training the party cadres and meetings with voters.
“There is no option to the poll to end political uncertainty and safeguard the constitution in the post Gen-Z movement,” Karn added.
As part of the poll preparations, some political parties are receiving recommendations for potential candidates from different constituencies.
Similarly, the members of the young generation who have pressed for transformation in the political parties are also equally excited to take part in the upcoming poll.
Sandip Khatri, a permanent resident from Palungtar Municipality-2 in Gorkha district, echoed the views of Karn in regard to the timely election. Khatri said the election is the only way to end the present political transition country facing.
“Chances of undue maneuverings could take place in the country in the absence of parliament. The election should be done to foil such attempts. We are eagerly waiting for the poll,” Khatri shared.
In order to ensure the poll, the government has ensured Rs 6.73 billion for the EC for the election management purpose.
Delivering a message on the completion of 100 days of the new government, Prime Minister Sushila Karki has termed the upcoming election as an initiative to make democracy and good governance victorious.
Addressing the Gen-Z, PM Karki has said ballot papers offer the solution to the questions raised on the street. “The state will ensure your vote,” the PM assured.
The EC has also claimed that the entire responsibilities to be performed by the EC were carried out as per the calendar.
EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said that the date is approaching for the political parties to submit the closed list of candidates under the proportional representation (PR) electoral system. He said the EC is preparing for the printing of the ballot papers of the PR system from December 30.
Currently, the EC is working on the collection of details of the individuals for appointing the chief returning officers and returning officers. After the collection of details, the chief returning officers and returning officers will be appointed and their offices will be set up.
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21- Ramashish elected Speaker of Madhesh Province Assembly
Janakpur, Dec 21: Ram Ashish Yadav of Janata Samajwadi Party (JSP) Nepal was elected the Speaker of the Madhesh Province Assembly. In the election held on Sunday, Yadav got 72 votes from the seven-party alliance.
Deputy Speaker of Madhesh Province Assembly Babita Raut Ishar announced the election of Yadav as the Speaker with 72 votes out of 96 province assembly members present at the meeting today.
Elected from Dhanusha Constituency no. 2 (B) from the JSP Nepal, Yadav was the Chief Whip of JSP’s parliamentary party in the Madhesh Province Assembly.
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23- ‘Nepal-China relations unique’
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Chinese Ambassador to Nepal, Chen Song, has said the relations between China and Nepal are unique.
At a farewell ceremony organised at the Chinese Embassy in Kathmandu, Ambassador Song opined that he would extend support to Nepal from any position he holds. He is returning home on Wednesday after completing his three-year term.
Stating that he will always remember Nepal and Nepalis, the Chinese Ambassador extended gratitude to the government of Nepal, government employees, colleagues from diplomatic mission, media persons and the Nepali Society for their support.
Ministers, lawmakers, chiefs and office-bearers of diplomatic missions in Kathmandu, former ministers, industrialists, media persons and artists were present on the occasion.
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24- PM Karki urges Suhang to speed up preparation for election
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has stressed the need of holding the election to the House of Representatives on the slated date for the peace and stability in the country.
During the meeting with a delegation led by then member of the House of Representatives, Suhang Nembang, at Singha Durbar on Sunday, the PM urged the delegation to make preparation for the March 5 election without any doubt as the incumbent government was formed to hold election.
“We have been carrying out activities to conduct voting. We are here to establish peace and hold election after the unusual circumstances. We have become successful to establish peace and the rule of law in short time,” she reminded, arguing that election paves way for sustainable peace and stability.
Similarly, Suhang wished PM Karki the success to hold elections, according to PM Karki’s Private Secretariat.
PM Karki had enquired leader Suhang on the preparation to contest in the election. In response, Suhang said he had been making preparation for the election. Extending best wishes to Suhang, Prime Minister Karki expressed the view that now youth should come forward.
“The election will be held at any cost. Be prepared. Youths like you should come to fore and lead the country to ensure a meaningful change. The hoary leaders are unable to lead the present generation abreast with smart service and similar expectation. Their experience and advice can be helpful, but youth should be in driver’s seat. Youths have courage and energy,” she underscored.
In the meeting, Suhang drew the attention of the PM to intensify the reconstruction of highways and bridges that were damaged by landslide and floods in Ilam.
PM Karki shared that Minister for Physical Infrastructures, Kul Man Ghising, had recently conducted an onsite visit there and the government was serious on this issue.
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25- Barriers to enforcement of federalism continue
Kathmandu, Dec 21: The fiscal federalism is gradually gaining a pace but structural and policy level challenges are awaiting address for effective enforcement.
At a programme the National Natural Resources and Fiscal Commission (NNRFC) organized to release the ‘Mirror of Fiscal Federalism-2025’ in the federal capital on Sunday, the speakers shed light on the achievements of federalism, its challenges and way forward.
Chairman of the National Assembly (NA), Narayan Prasad Dahal, informed that NA was engaging in significant work relating to revenue, resource allocation and ceiling of internal loan. The first and the second Constituent Assemblies had whetted serious debates on introduction and enforcement of federalism in Nepal, he reminded, adding that the new system is gaining a pace.
He, however, said, “Sharing of resource is vital in fiscal federalism. Some of the local levels are not able to bring budgets on time. Employee management and capital spending are also serious concern.”
Dahal accused the federal government of not transferring all amount allocated for the sub-national governments on time. Similarly, the sub-national governments failed to spend the allocated budget fully. “If service delivery is improved and development activities intensified, the false narrative of ‘costly federalism’ will fizzle out,” Chairman Dahal argued.
On the occasion, President of the Federalism Strengthening and National Concern Committee under the National Assembly, Sonam Geljen Sherpa, however, argued fiscal federalism was weakened. Although even the remote villages have felt change, the devolution of power was hindering real benefit of the system to all people. “Neither the central government nor the province government is ready to devolve power to the local levels. Even the chief of local level is reluctant to hand over power to ward chair the latter is entitled to,” he said, underscoring the need of empowering local levels and forging collaborative approach in act in the spirit of federalism.
Former Chairman of the NNRFC, Balanand Paudel, expressed worry why the issues of natural resources were shadowed at the Commission. Sharing of natural resources is a very sensitive topic, he said, adding that disputes were raised even on the fundamental need like drinking water when it came to royalty sharing.
“Royalty from telecommunications should also be treated as that of the natural resources and allocation made accordingly. The distribution of conditional grant needs further clarity,” Paudel suggested, adding that wise use of public debt and widening the ceiling of internal loan for mega and national pride projects are equally important.
Former Chief Secretary Dr Baikuntha Aryal viewed the problems that surfaced in the very beginning of the federal implementation are still waiting for address. Data at government agencies need credibility and inter-agency coordination strengthened, he added.
Irrespective of the law in place for eight years to recommend fiscal equalization grant based on need of expenditure and revenue capacity, there was no clarity on these till date. “There is no clear basis to measure the need of spending at any province or local level. To address this gap, the Inter-Government Fiscal Arrangement Act and the NNRFC Act must be amended,” he suggested.
Secretary at NNRFC, Dinesh Kumar Ghimire, informed that the publication ‘mirror of fiscal federalism-2025’ was prepared based on the challenges of implementation of fiscal federalism and role various agencies need to play for strengthening the system.
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26- NC preparing for HoR election: Leader Dr Koirala
Morang, Dec 21: Central member of the Nepali Congress, Dr Shekhar Koirala, said his party was making preparation for the election to the House of Representatives (HoR).
During a dialogue with youths on ‘NC’s journey: past, present and future’ organized here Sunday, leader Dr Koirala spoke on the challenges and opportunities before the NC. He reminded that NC’s central committee had already decided to go for election.
He, however, said peace and security are prerequisites to free and fair election. “The weapons looted from police offices and the prisoners escaped from various jails during the September 8-9 Gen Z movement must be returned,” he said, adding that there is no option before the country but to hold the election successfully on the slated date.
According to him, once the youths of political parties are ensured 40 percent participation at local level, 30 percent at provincial level and 20 percent at federal level, it would be helpful to curb corruption, and maintain transparency and accountability in system. The leader also pointed out the need of keeping teachers at community schools away from political engagement.
On a different note, he blamed the governments discriminating against Biratnagar Metropolis in resource allocation resulting in comparative backwardness.
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27- NFPJ honours five photojournalists
Kathmandu, Dec 21: The National Forum of Photojournalists (NFPJ Nepal) on Sunday honoured five professional photojournalists on the occasion of the Forum’s 28th annual general meeting.
The Harigopal Pradhan Photo Journalism Awards were given to individuals in five different genres.
Chancellor of Fine Arts Academy Naradmuni Hartamchhali gave away the prizes to the photojournalists.
On the occasion, Nabin Babu Gurung was awarded the Courageous Photo Journalism Award, while Uddhab Shrestha received the Eco-Tourism Photo Journalism Award.
Likewise, Subas Mukhiya Sunuwar was given away the Entertainment Photo Journalism Award, Chandrakala Chhetri with the Cultural Photo Journalism Award and Shankar Bhujel with the Sports Photo Journalism Award.
During the event, Chancellor Hartamchhali said photography is the simplest, fastest, liveliest and most effective medium of communication in society.
NFPJ Nepal Chairman Pradipraj Onta pledged to make the organization further inclusive, robust and effective along with prioritizing capacity building.
On the occasion, Madhav Thapa Courageous Photo Journalism Prize-2082 established by former DIG of the Armed Police Force Nepal Madhav Thapa was provided to NFPJ Secretary Prabin Kulung Rai and the Institutional NFPJ President Award-2082 to NFPJ Vice Chairman Sunil Sharma.
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28- CM Baniya underlines environment protection
Makwanpur, Dec 21: Chief Minister of Bagmati Province, Indra Bahadur Baniya, has urged everyone concerned to pay heed to environment conservation while forwarding projects on physical infrastructures.
During a programme organized by the Nepali Congress Makwanpur chapter and Manahari committee at Manahari in the district on Sunday, CM Baniya said the local level could be more attentive in protecting ecology for thriving human and wildlife.
He shared that province government could even amend the laws and policies for building good governance and corruption-free society for this.
Time has come for all to involve in creating an atmosphere conducive to the election of House of Representatives (HoR) which is scheduled for March 5, 2026. He, however, said it is the major responsibility of federal government to create favourable atmosphere for election.
He expressed dislike to the idea of some NC leaders for restoration of the dissolved HoR, and called the top leadership to be united for embracing the March 5 election.
Other leaders of the party, including Santa Bahadur Praja, Ranjan Kalakheti, Buddha Lama, Prakash Bartaula viewed it was time to consolidate party organization in line with its policy and principle.
Meanwhile, CM Baniya handed over Rs 75,000 from his personal level to a management committee for the construction of the Manakamana Temple at Manahari.
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29- Minister Kharel shares achievements made in three months
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, has shared various achievements made in three months.
Three months have passed since he took the charge of the Communications Ministry. Organising a press conference at the Ministry in Singha Durbar on Sunday, Minister Kharel made public 3o achievements made on the topics ranging from telecommunications to information technology, postal service, printing and film in the last three months.
The ministry had remarkable performance during this period, Minister Kharel argued, adding, “These achievements are gained amidst challenges. We will work honestly in coming days.”
Significant works like online registration and renewal from the Department of Information and Broadcasting, printing driving license from security printing press to communication access established in remote areas, expansion of 4G services at the Sagarmatha Base Camp were carried out, according to Minister Kharel.
Launch of NTV World, declaring late journalist Suresh Rajak as martyr, publishing news and other content in Kulung language in Gorkhapatra, free internet service at 10 public places of Kathmandu Valley were others in the list. Process is in place to install Wifi at 29 places outside the Kathmandu Valley, he added.
Honouring the journalists who braved the Gen Z movement and affiliating the journalists and staffs at State media to social security fund also count in the achievements.
Govt to register, list online TV
Meanwhile, Minister Kharel has informed that government was planning to register and list the online televisions so that professional safety and institutional development could be bolstered.
During a meeting with online TV journalists at the Ministry on Sunday, Minister Kharel pledged the government incentives equal to the mainstream media to the online TVs and journalists.
However, the Minister shared the plight that the government had no exact data on number of online TV and the journalists working on these media, which, he argued, had hindered state incentives to them as part of the public welfare advertisement.
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30- PM Karki, RSP Chair Lamichhane meet
Kathmandu, Dec 21: Chairperson of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, met Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Sunday evening.
During the meeting held at the official residence of the Prime Minister at Baluwatar, they discussed contemporary issues, according to the PM Karki’s Secretariat.
Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Jagadish Kharel, RSP office-bearers and members were present on the occasion.
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