Nepal launches campaigns for first post-uprising polls

Advertisement Asia Nepal launches campaigns for first post-uprising polls A security personnel carries ballot boxes towards a vehicle from the election commission in Kathmandu, Nepal on Feb 8, 2026, ahead of the House of Representatives elections scheduled for Mar 5, 2026. (File photo: Reuters/Navesh Chitrakar) 16 Feb 2026 11:09AM (Updated: 16 Feb 2026 11:13AM) Bookmark Bookmark Share WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn Set CNA as your preferred source on Google Add CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results. Read a summary of this article on FAST. Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST KATHMANDU: Nepali candidates launch their campaigns on Monday (Feb 16) for next month's parliamentary elections, the first since deadly anti-corruption protests toppled the previous government in 2025."This election will draw the future of the country," Sushila Karki, who is serving as interim prime minister until the Mar 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 KP Sharma Oli ousted. Subscribe to CNA’s Morning Brief An automated curation of our top stories to start your day. This service is not intended for persons residing in the E.U. By clicking subscribe, I agree to receive news updates and promotional material from Mediacorp and Mediacorp’s partners. Loading It was the Himalayan nation's worst violence since a decade-long civil war in 2006.YOUNG AND OLDTwo 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.A key election clash will see rapper-turned-mayor Balendra Shah, 35, face Oli in a head-to-head battle in the former prime minister's constituency.Sharply dressed Shah, better known as Balen, has emerged as a symbol of youth-driven political change.He has joined the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), the fourth biggest in the last parliament. Also read: Thousands of troops hit the streets in Nepal ahead of polls Commentary: Nepal’s Gen Z protest was just the beginning of the real political struggle Also in the race is Nepali Congress, the country's oldest party.It was once part of Oli's coalition government, but has elected a new leader since the uprising - 49-year-old Gagan Thapa.And, at the other end of the spectrum from Gen Z politics, supporters of the ex-king Gyanendra Shah, 78 - deposed in 2008, ending 240 years of monarchy - will also campaign.The Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), which draws support from royalist nostalgia and frustration with mainstream politics, rallied thousands in Kathmandu on Friday as the ex-king drove through the streets waving from his car."WAY OUT"Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time.They will elect members to the 275-seat House of Representatives, the lower house, with 165 via a direct vote and 110 through proportional representation.More than 3,400 candidates are competing in the direct vote, 30 per cent aged under 40.Campaign banners and party flags are already being strung up in towns, with a string of rallies planned as candidates seek to woo voters."This election is being conducted in a special condition," former chief justice Karki said, as she oversaw polling preparations last week. "This has to give the country a way out."Nepal's Election Commission has said it is ready to hold the polls as planned despite concerns over weather conditions, as many high-altitude areas may be snowbound that early in the year.The vote is being held unusually early in the year, due to an accelerated election schedule brought on by the September unrest.Extra security forces have been drafted to ensure calm, with around 300,000 officers and temporary election police deployed. Source: AFP/co Newsletter Morning Brief Subscribe to CNA’s Morning Brief An automated curation of our top stories to start your day. Sign up for our newsletters Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox Subscribe here Get the CNA app Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories Download here Get WhatsApp alerts Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app Join here Related Topics Nepal election Advertisement Also worth reading Content is loading... Advertisement Expand to read the full story Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try. Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST FAST