Campaigning starts for Nepal’s first election since deadly anti-corruption protests

Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time

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Rastriya Swatantra Party candidate Balendra Shah (left) is going up against former Nepalese prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli in the poll. Photo: AFP

Published: 12:16pm, 16 Feb 2026Updated: 12:19pm, 16 Feb 2026

Nepalese candidates launched their campaigns on Monday for next month’s parliamentary election, the first since deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the previous government last year.

“This election will draw the future of the country,” Sushila Karki, who is serving as interim prime minister until the March 5 vote, said ahead of the launch.

The youth-led protests were triggered by a brief social media ban but were fuelled by anger at economic stagnation and an ageing elite seen as out of touch.

Over two days in September, 77 people were killed, scores were injured, hundreds of buildings set on fire – including parliament, courts and a Hilton hotel – and 73-year-old Marxist leader K.P. Sharma Oli ousted. It was the Himalayan nation’s worst violence since a decade-long civil war in 2006.

Balendra Shah’s supporters gather to wait for the former Kathmandu mayor, popularly known as “Balen”, during an election campaign in Janakpur on January 19. Photo: Reuters

Two weeks of campaigns will see a host of new, younger candidates promise to offer change, challenging veteran politicians who say they provide stability and security.

Campaigning starts for Nepal’s first election since deadly anti-corruption protests

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time

Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time