- Wednesday, 21 January 2026
Narayan Prasad Ghimire
Kathmandu, Jan 20: The atmosphere for the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for coming March 5 has finally gripped the nation.
The political parties with legacy and the new ones have almost finalized the list of candidates to field under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) for HoR election, while the Election Commission made public the closed list of the proportional candidates, seeking objection on it, if any.
The Election Commission, constitutional body to hold and monitor the election, has intensified the preparations for the voting, a grand democratic exercise. The interim government formed with a major mandate of election has accelerated the pace to hold the voting successfully. The orientations on election code of conduct and recruitment of election police are going on nationwide.
Similarly, the election officials and security agencies in the provinces and districts are working in coordination to finalize the places as voting centres and booths.
Although the political parties like the CPN-UML and the Nepali Congress showed reluctance in the beginning towards HoR election announced on the very day the interim government was formed after the flash youth uprising of September 8-9 called Gen Z movement, they finally embraced the democratic exercise, picking the party candidates for it.
More jubilant are the new ones, especially the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the Ujyalo Nepal Party, and the Shram Sanskriti Party, showing fervors in favour of new faces.
The former Prime Minister and Chairman of the CPN-UML, KP Sharma Oli, reached his hometown, Jhapa, on January 19, first time after the Gen Z movement. Some days back the high-level inquiry commission on the Gen Z uprising had lifted ban on his movement after he responded to the high-level inquiry commission led by Gauri Bahadur Karki.
Similarly, the Nepali Congress party, now led by Gagan Thapa, is learnt to be making last ditch efforts to finalize the candidates for direct election and filing nomination today itself.
With all these progresses unfolding rapidly in recent weeks, the election fever has gripped the nation. Now, the HoR election seems almost unstoppable.
Factors behind bewilderment of old parties
Undoubtedly, the March 5 election is a historic one. Although every election is historic, this election is more historic because it is caused over a phenomenal development in Nepal’s national politics with sudden dissolution of the House of Representatives and is witnessing a surge and razzmatazz of the new political parties, throwing the old ones in a bewilderment.
There are other reasons behind surprise for the parties with legacy like the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN UML and the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) that they had to undergo significant changes and debates within the parties to deal with the new scenario. They were in throes in deed, which will be reflected further in the election results they fare.
The NC and the communist parties were in the helm for decades in Nepal. They fought against the autocratic Rana regime, party-less panchayat and monarchy, thereby restoring the democracy and later establishing the federal republic. They sometimes campaigned alone, even against each other at times, and worked together to rule the country. But they collectively faced a tragedy that they were termed ‘old and irrelevant’ by the Gen Z youths with the culmination of September 8-9 uprising.
It was a common setback to them. The demand and campaign for leadership change in these parties mounted thereafter. Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ had to ditch ‘Maoism’, a long-time appendage, and bring together a dozen of communist and leftist forces and splinters to make the NCP. Although the party is rich, being a home to three former prime ministers- Prachanda, Madhav Kumar Nepal and Jhalanath Khanal, NCP’s base is eroded much. Once the stalwarts of Pranchada’s front, such as Baburam Bhattarai, Janardan Sharma and Netra Bikram Chand, have ditched Prachanda, while intellectual leader Ghanashyam Bhusal is not with Nepal. The NCP is taken by surprise: How it will influence voters to retain its image and revive party.
Similarly, the UML led by KP Sharma Oli had to conduct party’s National Congress a year earlier than the scheduled time in a bid to the address the changed context largely triggered by the Gen Z movement and growing demand for change of guard in the party. Although Oli retained his grip in the party with his reelection as party Chairman, influential leaders like Ishwor Pokhrel is not happy to see the party development. Leader Pokhrel insisted that Oli had to hand over leadership in view of the Gen Z movement, but conversely, Oli accumulated his power. The demand of internal democracy was raised much in the UML by youth leaders, including Usha Kiran Timsena and Bidya Pande, but subdued, with likely negative impact on the overall political performance.
Determination of Balen, former mayor of Kathmandu metropolis, on an electoral battle in Oli’s stronghold in Jhapa district is drawing enormous attention and frenzy beyond the UML.
Another phenomenal event in Nepali politics was the special general convention (SGC) of the Nepali Congress held recently in the federal capital, Kathmandu that elected Gagan Thapa as its President. It was the biggest shock not only to the NC but to entire national politics. The grand old party of Nepal, Nepali Congress, that elected firebrand leader Gagan Thapa as new President, thereby relieving Sher Bahadur Deuba from the party presidency.
It was an unceremonious moment for Deuba and his camp in the NC that made last-ditch efforts to prevent Gagan camp from holding SGC. Later, although both sides claimed their legitimacy before Election Commission, the Thapa-led NC got authenticity and legitimacy.
These conventions were held in the back up of the drive forwarded in response to the Gen Z protest. The HoR election is being held at such a critical time that major old parties are facing double threats: internal difference and conflict, and the surge of the new ones. So, these parties are now in dire need to immediately patch up the internal difference and conflict on the one other hand and build assertive position and earn public trust in a short time amidst new ones’ craze on the other.
The electoral alliance for which the NC and UML were said to making homework before NC’s SGC was in casualty after the rise of Gagan Thapa as NC president. It is equally an unforgettable event causing bewilderment to the old parties.
Resignation spree
Other elements to add bewilderment to the old parties is the resignation spree of the people’s representatives on the eve of the filing of candidacy for direct election. Those holding elected posts at local and provincial governments and even the ministers in interim federal government have resigned from the post to climb a political ladder, leading to the federal seat.
Dozens of people’s representatives, including rapper-turned leader at local level, Balendra Shah (Balen), campaigner-turned leader Harka Sampang Rai, and others have resigned to file candidacies under the direct election for HoR. Balen has been termed as a brand rather than as a person by his supporters. Balen’s joining with RSP led by Rabi Lamichhane, has further drawn the crowd.
Balen, who witnessed a tussle with federal government, and Sampang, who showed dissatisfaction to the national politics, finally entered the politics, giving impetus to public questions to old parties and aging leaders. These are undoubtedly new challenges before the NC, the UML and the NCP. Their common feature is anti-incumbency drive.
They are given further boost by the resignation of Kulman Ghising, Bablu Gupta, Jagadish Kharel, and Mahabir Pun from the ministerial posts from interim government.
Moreover, the ambition to secure federal seat is shown by other leaders at local and provincial levels. Former Chief Minister of Madhes Province, Satish Kumar Singh, resigned from the post; so did Sudurpaschim Province Assembly member Dr Tara Joshi and Bagmati Province Assembly member Yub Raj Dulal (Sharad).
New faces to watch
Lately, news has come that the old parties NC and UML have changed some candidates, giving priority to new faces. It, however, seems a tough time for the old ones to negotiate the drive of ‘old versus new parties’ and the ‘aging versus youth candidates’. Although the anti-incumbency drive was vehement within some old parties while mild in others, it is worth-noting that the anti-incumbency was/is a major campaign of the new parties, which may further dent the old guards.
The March 5 election is being conducted amidst such bewilderments. Let’s wait and see how the old and new parties, and the aging and young faces fare the electoral battles.
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08- Education Minister resigns
Kathmandu, Jan 20: Minister for Education, Science and Technology, Mahabir Pun, has resigned from his post.
Minister Pun submitted his resignation letter before Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Monday evening, said PM’s press advisor Ram Bahadur Rawal.
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09- PM Karki to oversee additional three ministries
Kathmandu, Jan 20: President Ramchandra Paudel has assigned Prime Minister Sushila Karki the responsibility of overseeing three additional ministries following the resignation of their respective ministers.
Minister for Education, Science and Technology Mahabir Pun, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel, and Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta have resigned from their posts.
In view of the posts of ministers falling vacant at the three ministries, the Head of State has designated the Prime Minister to handle the portfolios of these ministries.
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10- Gold and silver prices continue surge
Kathmandu, Jan 20: The price of gold and silver has been continuously going up in the local market. The prices of the yellow metal and silver, which have been traded at more than Rs 277,000 per tola for the past three days, have risen today.
The Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association stated that today the price of one tola of hallmark gold is Rs 284,700 and the price of silver is Rs 5,880.
Last Sunday, one tola of hallmark gold was traded at Rs 278,800 and the same amount of silver was traded at Rs 5,625.
The price of gold was at Rs 282,000 per tola and the same quantity of silver was traded at Rs 5,810 on Monday.
According to international media, an ounce of gold is being traded at 4,690 and the same quantity of silver at 94 US dollars in the international market today.
Financial analysts have attributed the increase in gold and silver prices to the rising demand as safe investments amid growing uncertainty in the global economy, inflation and geopolitical tensions.
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11- Bharatpur Metropolis Mayor Dahal resigns from post
Chitwan, Jan 20: Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolis Renu Dahal resigned from her post today. She submitted her resignation to Deputy Mayor Chitrasen Adhikari.
Dahal decided to step down before filing her candidacy for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives (HoR) from Chitwan-3, representing the Nepali Communist Party.
Addressing a meeting of the metropolis executive, Dahal expressed her gratitude to all those who supported her during her second term in office.
Following her resignation, Deputy Mayor Chitrasen Adhikari has been designated as the Acting Mayor of Bharatpur Metropolis.
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12- Four former Prime Ministers are in election race
Kathmandu, Jan 20: Four former Prime Ministers are in the race of the election to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5.
In this connection, CPN (UML) chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is filing his candidacy from Jhapa constituency-5.
Similarly, coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party and former Prime Minister, Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ and joint-coordinator of the same party and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal have been making preparation to file their candidacies from Rukum (East) constituency-1 and Rautahat constituency-1 respectively.
Likewise, patron of the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party and former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai is filing his candidacy from Gorkha constituency-2.
Earlier in the election held in 2079 BS, UML Chair Oli was elected from Jhapa-5, NCP Coordinator Dahal from Gorkha-2 and NCP joint-coordinator Nepal from Rautahat-1. Former Prime Minister Dr Bhattarai had supported the NCP coordinator Dahal in 2079 BS election.
However, Nepali Congress former President and former Prime Minister, Sher Bahadur Deuba, who had been getting victory in election continuously from Dadeldhura since 2048 BS, is not in the election race.
He is out of election race this time due to circumstances surfaced following the party’s special general convention.
Nominations are being filed in all 165 constituencies across the country today for the first-past-the-post election (FPTP) scheduled for March 5.
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13- EC urges for registering candidacy within stipulated time along with required papers
Kathmandu, Jan 20: The Election Commission (EC) has called for candidates to register their candidacy for the House of Representatives elections to be held on March 5, with the necessary documents, at the appointed time today.
EC Information Officer Suman Ghimire, while talking to journalists today, requested the candidates to go to the Election Officer’s office of their respective constituency among the 165 House of Representatives constituencies and register their candidacy.
He also requested the candidates to submit the form along with the nomination letter. The form is available on the Commission’s website. Information officer Ghimire said that a ‘Word document file’ is also available on the website.
Along with the nomination form, the candidates are required to submit a self-declaration letter, a commitment letter as mentioned in the Election Code of Conduct, personal details, and property details. Similarly, the commission has called for the deposit receipt to be attached and submitted along with the nomination form.
Kul Bahadur GC, the assistant spokesperson of the Commission, stated that those who reach the offices of all 165 election officers by 5pm today and wait in line with their nomination papers will be allowed to register their candidacy.
The commission has called for bringing 13 types of documents along with a citizenship or voter ID card for the registration of candidacy.
The list of candidates will be published between 5pm and 7pm, today, the EC stated.
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14- Four ministers in interim government in election race
Kathmandu, Jan 20: Four ministers in the Sushila Karki–led government, formed with a mandate to conduct elections for the House of Representatives (HoR), have resigned from their posts to contest in the upcoming election scheduled for March 5.
The resigning ministers are Kulman Ghising, who held the portfolios of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation; Physical Infrastructure and Transport; and Urban Development; Bablu Gupta, Minister for Youth and Sports; Jagadish Kharel, Minister for Communications and Information Technology; and Mahabir Pun, Minister for Education, Science and Technology.
Following his resignation, Ghising has formed a new political party, the Ujyalo Nepal Party, under his own leadership. A former Managing Director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, Ghising will contest from Kathmandu electoral constituency-3, according to the party’s spokesperson, Dr Raju Thapa.
Gupta, widely regarded as a Gen Z leader and social activist, told RSS that he will file his candidacy from Siraha-1.
Kharel, who has more than two decades of experience in Nepali journalism and previously served in the editorial leadership of Image Television, has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party. He is scheduled to visit the District Election Office in Lalitpur today to file his candidacy from Lalitpur electoral constituency-2.
Similarly, Pun, founder of the National Innovation Centre and recipient of the 2007 Ramon Magsaysay Award, has already filed his independent candidacy from Myagdi electoral constituency-1.
Candidacies under the first-past-the-post system for 165 electoral constituencies are being filed today, January 20.
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15- Former Speaker, former Deputy-Speaker file their nomination from Jhapa-2
Jhapa, Jan 20: Former Speaker Dev Raj Ghimire has filed his nomination for the upcoming election to the House of the Representatives from Jhapa constituency-2.
Reaching the Arjundhara municipality-based election office, Ghimire filed his candidacy from the CPN (UML), said Election Officer, Mahesh Khatri.
Ghimire’s candidacy was proposed by Chintan Pathak while Ekraj Karki seconded it.
Similarly, former Deputy-Speaker Indira Rana Magar also filed her candidacy for upcoming election from the same constituency.
She reached the Election Office and registered her nomination from Rastriya Swatantra Party, added Khatri.
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16- Pun contesting in HoR election as independent candidate from Myagdi-1
Myagdi, Jan 20: Mahabir Pun who has filed his nomination for the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) election from his home district Myagdi has said that amendments to impractical policies, rules and laws, job creation and prosperity are his election agenda.
Earlier, on Monday, he resigned as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology in the interim government formed with a mandate to conduct the fresh HoR election to file his candidacy as an independent candidate from the Myagdi-1.
He would be contesting from the Myagdi 1 constituency. He approached the Beni-based Office of the Chief Election Officer today to file his nomination as the first candidate.
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17- NCP Coordinator and former PM Dahal files candidacy from Rukum East
Rukum (East), Jan 20: Coordinator of the Nepali Communist Party and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has filed his nomination from Rukum (East) constituency-1.
The election to the Member of the House of Representatives is scheduled for coming March 5.
Reaching the Office of the Election Officer, he registered his candidacy. Talking briefly to media persons after registering his nomination papers, Coordinator Dahal said he would give first priority to overall development construction of Rukum.
“Rukum was a key base of the people’s war. I decided to file candidacy from this area in this election. I will give first priority to Rukum’s development,” he opined.
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18- UML Chair and former PM Oli files nomination for HoR polls from Jhapa-5
Jhapa (Bhadrapur), Jan 20: CPN (UML) Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has registered his nomination for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives from Jhapa electoral constituency-5.
After filing his nomination at the Office of the Election Officer today, Oli said he has no “competitor” in the election. He had also won the 2022 House of Representatives election from Jhapa-5.
According to Election Officer Bidur Kumari Karki, senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balendra Shah (Balen), had earlier registered his nomination from Jhapa-5. Shah resigned as the mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City a few days ago to contest the election.
Similarly, eight candidates have already filed their nominations from Jhapa-5. They include Ranjit Tamang of the Nepali Communist Party, Laxmi Prasad Sangroula of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Dharma Raj Guragain of the People First Party, Ram Bahadur Meche of the Mongol National Organisation, Sachin Rai of the Rastriya Pariwartan Party, and independent candidate Matrika Bhattarai.
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19- ‘Living Sagarmatha’ strategy launched
Kathmandu, Jan 20: The Ministry of Forests and Environment has released the ‘Living Sagarmatha: Nepal Mountain Resilience Strategy’ today.
The Ministry had prepared the Strategy in collaboration with the United Nations, Food and Agriculture Organisation.
Ministry Secretary Govinda Prasad Sharma said it has been expected that this strategy would help uplift the living standard of communities living in mountainous region and ensure long-term protection of natural resources.
Mitigating the climate change impact, conservation of mountainous bio-diversity, sustainable forest management, protection of water resources and livelihood of local communities have been incorporated as the main basis.
Similarly, the strategy has given special importance to the issue of creating economic opportunities through mountain agriculture, herbs production, tourism promotion, renewable energy and value chain development of local products.
The strategy has a goal of enhancing economic productivity along with environment conservation by prioritizing the sustainable development of Himalayan and mountainous region.
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20- Home Minister reiterates government’s commitment to ensuring election security
Kathmandu, Jan 20: The government has reiterated that it is committed to maintaining peace and security for the elections.
In a discussion at the Home Ministry with journalists covering the security beat, Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal said that integrated security plans have been already implemented by conducting security workshops at the provincial level.
He stated that a strong security arrangement would be made to hold the election in a fear-free environment.
Comparing to the past, the Home Minister mentioned that the security situation has been improving and that the government is focused on successfully conducting the election peacefully.
He said that the security bodies have mobilized their personnel in the field with high morale.
The Home Minister informed journalists that arrangements have been made under the leadership of the Home Administration with the participation of telecom, cyber bureau and relevant agencies to control the misuse of information technology.
Home Secretary Raj Kumar Shrestha said that peace and security have been effectively ensured for the elections with the full implementation of the integrated security plan.
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21- Former PM Dr Bhattarai files candidacy for HoR polls
Kathmandu, Jan 20: Former Prime Minister Dr Baburam Bhattarai has filed his nomination for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives from Gorkha constituency-2.
Reaching the Office of the Election Officer this afternoon, Bhattarai registered his candidacy from the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, said Bhattarai’s personal secretary, Rekhi Gurung.
Bhattarai’s candidacy was proposed by District Coordinator of Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, Narayan Khatri, while Gen Z movement leader Rijan Rana Magar seconded it.
He did not contest the 2079 BS HoR election. Dr Bhattarai had won the elections from same constituency in 2064 BS and 2074 BS.
Bhattarai was elected as the second constitution assembly member in 2070 BS from Gorkha-1.
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22- Former PM Nepal files his nomination for HoR election from Rautahat-1
Rautahat (Chandrapur), Jan 20: Nepali Communist Party’s joint coordinator and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal has registered his nomination in view of the upcoming election to the House of Representatives (HoR) from the Rautahat electoral constituency 1.
He visited the Office of the Election Officer to file the nomination which was proposed by NCP central member Ram Naresh Mandal and seconded by Chandeshwor Raut, according to Nepal’s private secretary Laxman Regmi. In the previous election, he was elected from the same constituency.
Following the filing of his nomination, Nepal said his candidacy for ending the issues of poverty, unemployment, and for creating jobs and promoting skills, making the nation’s economy vibrant.
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23- RPP Chair Lingden registers his nomination from Jhapa-3
Jhapa, Jan 20: Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) Chairperson Rajendra Lingden has filed his candidacy for upcoming election to the House of Representatives from Jhapa constituency-3.
He was elected as a Member of Parliament from the same constituency before this.
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24- Former Deputy Prime Minister Shrestha contesting from Sarlahi-3
Barhathawa (Sarlahi), Jan 20: Narayan Kaji Shrestha, leader of the Nepali Communist Party and former Deputy Prime Minister, has filed his candidacy from Sarlahi Constituency No. 3.
Leader Shrestha’s personal secretary Upadesh Yadav informed that leader Surendra Lama proposed Shrestha’s candidacy and Bibek Mainali seconded it.
In this constituency, in the 2079 election, CPN-UML’s Hari Prasad Upreti was elected, narrowly defeating the Maoist Centre’s candidate Narendra Sah by a small margin.
This time again, Hari Prasad Upreti from CPN-UML and Narendra Sah from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have filed their candidacy from this constituency.
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