- Saturday, 28 February 2026
Mahendranagar, Feb 26: A woman has died when a falling tree crashed into a make-shift house at Bedkot Municipality in Kanchanpur District.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Khadka Khatri of the District Police Office Kanchanpur said that 50-year-old Sharada Devi Mahat from Pelital, Ward 3, Bedkot Municipality died after a tree fell on her at home. Following the incident, a team led by Police Inspector Basu Awasthi was dispatched to the incident site from the District Police Office this morning.
Similarly, the police have reported that 40-year-old Sita Mehta, who resided in the same house, has been injured. She is receiving treatment at Mahakali Provincial Hospital in Mahendranagar.
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07- Full-fledged electoral preparations in Rasuwa
Rasuwa, Feb 26: The District Election Office, Rasuwa has intensified security preparations at voting stations across the district in the run up to the March 5’s House of Representatives election.
As part of these preparations, it has installed CCTVs to enhance electoral transparency and accountability.
All the polling stations under Uttargaya Rural Municipality have been fitted with CCTVs, and installation at the remaining four local levels is expected to conclude soon. The Election Office has planned to install cameras at 36 polling stations.
At a press meet organized by the Office to share details about the electoral preparations, District Election Officer Rajan Ray said that the temporary voter list has been prepared and a total of 383 employees will be designated to facilitate voting.
He added that 51 types of voting materials, including ballot boxes, have been readied. One volunteer has been mobilized in each ward to implement the voter education program. There are 27 wards in the district.
One mobilizer has been deployed at each local level in the district.
All preparations have now been completed to ensure the election is conducted in an impartial, free, and fearless atmosphere.
All election candidates have now opened bank accounts for electoral expenditures. The total number of voters in Rasuwa, the mountainous district in Bagamati Province, stands at 41,471. A total of 12 candidates: nine from political parties and three independents are contesting the election to the House of Representatives (HoR) 2026 from Rasuwa.
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08- Nepal and India sign MoU on bio-diversity conservation
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Nepal and India have signed a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bio-diversity conservation.
The MoU to this effect was signed in the presence of Minister for Forests and Environment of Nepal, Madhav Prasad Chaualgain, and Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change of India, Bhupendra Yadav, in New Delhi on Wednesday.
The MoU was signed by Nepal’s Ambassador to India Dr Shankar Prasad Sharma, on behalf of Nepal, and by Tanmay Kumar, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, on behalf of India.
On the occasion, Dr Maheshwor Dhakal, spokesperson at the Ministry of Forests told RSS that senior officials from the governments of Nepal and India were present.
Both Nepal and India are signatories to various international treaties on environmental conservation, including biodiversity, under the United Nations.
There are protected areas and biological corridors in the bordering areas of both nations, providing habitat to many wild animals, including elephants, rhinos, and tigers. These wild animals cross the borders freely without hindrances.
The MoU, therefore, is expected to play a role in enabling both countries to coordinate and cooperate in the protected areas, biodiversity, and wildlife crime control, adopt a shared strategy related to biodiversity, and develop the capacities of personnel working in the field.
Additionally, Minister Chaulagain said that the MoU will support controlling and regulating poaching and illegal trade of wildlife in cross-border areas, conducting research, studies, and monitoring of wildlife, and raising awareness and building capacity at the local level.
The implementation of the MoU is expected to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity in both countries by conducting regular patrols and meetings in the border areas, exchanging experiences and knowledge, developing and expanding good practices, and sharing immediate information related to wildlife and illegal trade.
The MoU states that both countries can exchange wildlife crime-related information with the South Asia Wildlife Law Enforcement Network (SAWEN) to control and regulate international wildlife crimes.
The Ministry and its subordinate Department of Forests and Soil Conservation and the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation at the central level, and the relevant provincial Ministry of Forests and Environment, protected areas, and divisional forest offices will coordinate and collaborate at the local level, to implement the said understanding on behalf of Nepal.
The memorandum of understanding stipulates that the agreement will be automatically renewed every five years unless a nation provides written information through diplomatic means, and it will be reviewed every three years.
The MoU states that any problems arising during the implementation will be resolved through mutual understanding.
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09- HoR elections: Election Commission seeks explanation on 87 plaints of code violation
Kathmandu, Feb 26: The Election Commission (EC) has stated that out of 87 complaints received so far by the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, explanations have been sought from political parties and candidates, and responses have been received on 57 of them.
So far, 81 people have been asked to furnish written explanation and six people have been directed for a clarification again, Commission’s legal officer Mohan Raj Joshi told RSS.
The Commission has also requested explanations from political parties, candidates, government and non-governmental organisations, media outlets and journalists who have been allegedly charged of violating the election code of conduct.
Registered media and journalists associated with them have been urged to provide clarifications and other related action through the Press Council Nepal.
Setopati Online has also been asked for clarification through the Press Council for publishing news content, through opinion polls in the name of election analysis, claiming that specific parties and candidates will be elected.
Complaints against violations of election code of conduct are being received even at the district level and necessary actions are being taken on them.
The EC has initiated the necessary investigation and action process on the complaints received to ensure effective implementation of the election code of conduct and to reduce violations. The Commission has also stated that 54 responses received are under study.
He stated that the Central Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, the District Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee, District Code of Conduct Monitoring Officer, and the concerned election office are active for the effective implementation of the code of conduct.
To make the monitoring of the code of conduct at the district level effective and ensure its implementation, according to Section 32 of the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, Assistant Chief District Officers of all 77 districts have been appointed as code of conduct monitoring officers for matters other than financial, and the Chief Treasury Controller for financial matters.
The Commission has stated that the work of informing stakeholders about the code of conduct in all districts and obtaining commitments to adhere to it is being carried out effectively.
It is also stated that regarding complaints received at the district level, clarifications were sought from the district itself, and responses were demanded and legal proceedings were initiated against those found guilty.
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10- Two killed in road accident
Inaruwa (Sunsari), Feb 26: Two people have died in separate road accidents in Sunsari. Bijay Rishidev, 32, from Duhabi Municipality-5, and Girijananda Sah, 47, from Chinnamasta Rural Municipality-6 in Saptari, were killed in the road mishap, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chandra Bahadur Khadka of the District Police Office.
Rishidev, who was riding a motorcycle with registration number Ko 25 Pa 149, lost control and was seriously injured. The accident took place on the inner road in Guptatol, Ward 11, Barahakshetra Municipality. The police have reported that he died during treatment. Dipen Rishidev from Duhabi–5 was injured in the same accident.
DSP Khadka said that Dipen is undergoing treatment.
Similarly, a pedestrian from Chinnamasta Rural Municipality-6 in Saptari, 47-year-old Girijanand Sah, died last night when a car hit him on the Koshi Highway in Itahari Sub-Metropolitan City-13.
The police have reported that Sah, who was crossing the road, died when a car numbered Province 1-001-001 Cha 7505 coming from Biratnagar towards Itahari ran him over.
The car went out of control and also collided with an autorickshaw bearing the number Pra 1-02-003 Ha 4898 moving in the same direction. As a result of the collision, Basant Ghising, 44, tempo driver from Itahari-20, Prem Kumar Gurung, 59, who was riding the tempo, and Viki Bishwakarma, 22, the car driver from Itahari-12, sustained minor injuries.
The District Police Office has stated that further investigation is underway regarding the incident.
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11- HoR Polls: Vehicular movement restricted from 12:00 midnight of March 4
Kathmandu, Feb 26: The Election Commission (EC) has announced that vehicular movement will be banned from 12:00 midnight on March 4 until the completion of voting for the House of Representatives (HoR). The voting will take place on March 5. The rule will apply to both public and private vehicles.
A high-level election security committee meeting made this decision. However, vehicles for specific and emergency purposes will be allowed to operate.
Ambulances, fire engines, mortuary vans, vehicles for blood transfusion services, vehicles of security agencies, and those used for electricity maintenance, water supply and drainage maintenance, telecommunications services, diplomatic missions, as well as vehicles granted passes to operate on election day, will be permitted to run.
According to EC Joint Secretary and Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the rule will remain in force from midnight on March 4 until the evening of March 5.
Likewise, the sale and distribution of beverages have been banned from one week prior to voting day until the announcement of the final election results. This ban applies nationwide. Violation of the rule is punishable by law, it is stated.
The meeting also agreed to write to the Ministry of Home Affairs to implement this decision, urging it to ensure that the election is conducted in a free, fair, and fearless atmosphere.
It has also been reported that the Home Ministry has already issued directives to the Chief District Officers and security agencies in all districts to ensure that the election code of conduct, meant for the election publicity prohibition period commencing from 12:00 midnight on March 2, is fully implemented.
Domestic and international flight schedules on March 5 will remain unchanged. Passengers on those flights will be allowed to use private vehicles or vehicles arranged by the respective airline companies while traveling between airports and their homes or hotels.
Through the Home Ministry, the EC has written to the District Administration Offices in all 77 districts to seal the international borders 72 hours prior to the Election Day.
As per the House of Representatives Election (Voting) Directive, 2082 BS, voters must carry a voter ID card, Nepali citizenship certificate, passport, land ownership certificate, or driving license while voting at the polling center.
According to the Procedure for Vehicle Permission, 2082 BS, issued by the EC, a pass distribution desk will be set up at the premises of the EC Secretariat for vehicle passes to be issued by the EC and the District Administration Office, Kathmandu.
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12- Communications Secretary Basnet visits RSS central office
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Laxmi Kumari Basnet, has inspected the ‘s central office here today.
During the visit, she observed the news agency’s News Reporting Section, the Editing Section, the Media Museum and the News Bulletin Archive at RSS.
On the occasion, Secretary Basnet acquired information about RSS’s overall news content production process, including the news collection, editing, photography and English news services.
RSS Executive Chairman Dharmendra Jha briefed Secretary Basnet about various articles displayed at the Museum Section from the RSS’s establishment period, including press, newspapers, compilation of news bulletins, telephone and typewriters among other materials.
He also informed Secretary Basnet about the news collection and dissemination process, the state-owned news agency’s financial status, income, resources, and manpower.
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13- Singing of ‘Jogira’ songs begins with advent of Holi festival in Mithilanchal villages
Jaleshwar (Mahottari), Feb 26: With the advent of the Holi festival, singing of Jogira (a kind of Holi song) has begun in villages across Mithilanchal.
Holi Jogira songs are traditional, high-energy folk songs, particularly popular in Madhesh (Mithilanchal), often featuring the hook “Jogira Sa Ra Ra”. These fast-paced, playful songs are sung with the playing of dholak beats, celebrating camaraderie and mischief during Holi revelry.
The singing of Jogira with the use of diverse musical instruments including drums has begun in Mithilanchal, including settlements of 10 municipalities and five rural municipalities in Mahottari.
Inviting the Holi festival, separate groups of youth, elders, and adults from each village are involving in various types of Jogira performance according to tradition.
This year Jogira is stated to be performed for entertainment as well as for preservation of tradition, explained Ram Chhabhila Yadav, a Holaiya (Jogira singer) and also Jaleshwar Municipality-7 ward chair.
Binod Mandal of Jaleshwar-2 commented that the people of Mithila have started singing Jogira by setting different types of folk passages.
The Jogira singers recite songs and told jokes and witty remarks with sweet and bitter words to rhythm, noting that this plays an important role in preserving original traditions and culture.
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14- Election fervor has not reached Majhi and Musahar communities in Chitwan
Chitwan, Feb 26: With seven days left for going to the polls, election fervor is palpable across the country. However, no kind of excitement has been seen in one settlement here so far.
The Majhi and Musahar settlement at Ward 8 of Ratnanagar Municipality is far from the excitement of the election. The chairperson of the settlement, Basmati Majhi, said that as the election approaches, no candidate has paid attention to their community comprising 29 Majhi and Musahar households.
“Until now, no candidate has come to meet the voters here. In the previous elections, candidates or representatives from every political party used to come to ask for votes. But this time no one has come. In this election, the local residents here do not even know which parties have fielded candidates,” she said.
Even as the day for voting approaches, she complained that no voter education volunteers have arrived here. This community, making a living through daily wage labour, lacks education, health services and employment.
Mahesh Majhi, who has registered his name in the voter list for the first time, is not excited about the election and he does not even agree to talk about it. He says he has no interest in voting.
“I have no desire to vote, why bother with elections,” he added.
Even though he has passed ‘Plus Two’ level of school education, he could not find employment, so he has been earning a living by driving an auto on rent. He says he has no interest in voting because there is no guarantee of employment, education, or health.
Anjali Majhi, who has been learning skills at home after completing Class 12, also complained that the parties’ candidates have overlooked their settlement.
“The voters here do not even know how to vote,” she said, indicating to the lack of adequate voter education in this backward settlement.
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15- Election Commission is active for conducting fair election, Acting CEC briefs diplomats
Kathmandu, Feb 27: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said the Election Commission is active for conducting fair, impartial and credible elections.
At an interaction organized here today by the EC with officials of diplomatic missions in Nepal, he informed that election preparation has reached the final stage.
Secretary at the EC, Krishna Bahadur Raut shared that election code of conduct monitoring committees have been formed in districts for conducting elections in an impartial manner.
Informing that voter education programmes are being conducted in all 6,743 wards of 753 local level governments, he shared the diplomatic mission officials about the mandatory provision requiring political parties and candidates to open and operate bank accounts for election spending.
Also on the occasion, Under-Secretary at the EC, Gyanhari Ghimire delivered a presentation on election preparations.
High-ranking officials, including two commissioners of the EC, Dr Janaki Kumari Tuladhar and Sagun Shamsher JB Rana, were also present at the programme.
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16- NAC reports notable improvement in passenger numbers and revenue
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Nepal Airlines Corporation (NAC), the national flag-carrier, has shown encouraging improvements in its half-yearly performance.
Data indicates that income and passenger numbers from Shrawan to Poush (July 17, 2026 to January 14, 2026) of the current fiscal year have notably progressed compared to the same period of the previous fiscal year 2081/082 (2024/2025).
During this period, the corporation’s total revenue has increased by about seven percent, while the number of passengers has increased by about 18.7 percent.
NAC stated that both revenue and passenger numbers have increased as regular and efficient flights have been operated to various destinations, making the maximum use of available aircraft.
During the period from January to March, most of the Corporation’s flights are operating with high passenger load.
NAC Spokesperson Archana Khadka said that the Corporation has set a goal to continue the growth rate by further strengthening service expansion and market management in the coming days.
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17- Singha Durbar can be rebuilt: RSP Chair Lamichhane
Gorakha, Feb 26: Chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rabi Lamichhane, has said that Singha Durbar can be rebuilt but mothers who lost their children will never see their loved ones.
Singha Durbar is the Federal Government Secretariat Building which was destroyed due to arson attack during the Gen Z movement on September 9, 2025 and many people lost their lives in that movement.
Addressing the election campaign assembly organised by RSP Gorkha in the district headquarters today, he claimed that the Singha Durbar was set on fire later only because shots were fired during the Gen Z movement.
“Some people here have spread rumours, saying Singha Durbar was set on fire and destroyed. But if gunshots were not fired on September 8, nothing would have burned. Those who fell down in the firing will never rise again. The bereaved mothers will never get their child back. We will rebuild Singha Durbar. As alleged by some people, we have not taken pride in the destruction of government structures,” he said.
The RSP Chair stated that neither he nor anyone else is above questions. Lamichhane also addressed an electoral rally held today in Palungtar Municipality.
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18- MoCIT Secretary stresses on responsible journalism
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Secretary at the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology Laxmi Kumari Basnet has stressed on responsible journalism.
At an orientation entitled ‘Election News and Code of Conduct’ for women journalists organized here today by RSS in collaboration with the Election Commission, she highlighted that professional journalism was the need of the hour.
Noting the important role of media sector for conducting the election in a free, fair and fearless environment, Secretary Basnet underlined the urgency of disseminating factual and objective news as the voters are supposed to build their opinion based on the information received through media.
“Let us disseminate news in a way that helps voters reach the voting centers without any obstruction and cast their ballot in a prudent way,” Secretary Basnet added.
RSS executive chairperson Dharmendra Jha also echoed the need of effectively manufacturing and disseminating news in a way to help the elections.
He explained that message dissemination would go weak when there is no clarity on audience and rational behind the message tailoring.
Federation of Nepali Journalists (FNJ) Chair Nirmala Sharma said it was the responsibility of all journalists to comply with the code of conduct.
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19- HoR polls: UML candidate from Dang-2 unveils five-point resolution
Deukhuri (Dang), Feb 26: CPN (UML) candidate from Dang constituency-2, Shankar Pokhrel, has expressed his resolution to the promotion of economic, educational, health, technology and good governance development if he is elected to the House of Representatives.
As the voting under the election is taking place on March 5, the UML candidate who also serves as the party General Secretary unveiled his five-point resolution paper entitled ‘Five Revolutions in Five Years’ today.
He vowed to bring ‘economic and infrastructure revolution’ through job creations, expansion of roadways, irrigation and industrial development in the next five years. He also pledged to prioritize the development of digital education along with the focus on quality education and skill-enhancement programme.
Pokhrel further promised to make policy-interventions for ensuring accessible and quality healthcare services, special healthcare services in rural areas and developing Dang as a model district for economic, social and administrative perspectives.
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20- No political equation in this election: NCP Coordinator Dahal
Kathmandu, Feb 26: Nepali Communist Party (NCP) coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has said that the party will not forge an equation (alliance) with any political parties in the election to the House of Representatives (HoR).
At a press meet organised at the party central office, Parisdanda today, Dahal said the party will be contesting the election with its specific agenda. The voting under the HoR is taking place on March 5.
As he said, the party has not struck any electoral alliance except in Baglung constituency-1. As he said, the party will be testing the voters’ trust on the party in remaining 164 constituencies without any electoral alliance.
He said the party will move head as per the citizens’ aspirations by seeking corrections from the past weaknesses.
He expressed his hope that the election will find way out to the existing crisis, adding that it is the shared responsibility of political parties, security bodies, bureaucracy and mass to conduct the election successfully.
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