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Dalit community has witnessed a meager number of candidates in the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5. 

Nepali Congress (NC) has fielded its assistant general secretary Prakash Rasaili Snehi as a candidate of Dalit community from Bajhang. 

CPN-UML has presented Chakra Snehi from Dadeldhura and Bimala Biki from Bardiya-2.

Likewise, Nepali Communist Party has given tickets only to Padam Biswokarma from Syangja-2 and Man Bahadur Sunar from Kanchanpur-3. 

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has nominated Khagendra Sunar from Banke-3. 

Padam Sundas, a leader of the Dalit movement and former ambassador, has noted that the major political parties have always treated the Dalit community as a vote bank but have consistently deprived them of political opportunities. 

He commented, “The contribution of Dalit leaders within the party is equal to that of other communities, but they do not get tickets during elections. Discrimination is being practiced while allotting tickets though Dalit holds 13 percent of total population". 

Bindu Pariyar, President of the Association for Dalit Women's Advancement of Nepal (ADWAN), opined that the democratic legacy party NC, which has repeatedly fought for change, and Nepali Communist Party and UML, which claim to struggle for the rights of marginalized, have proven to be insensitive towards Dalits. 

She noted that by not directly giving tickets to the Dalit community, their representation in Parliament is seen as meager. 

Just like the constitutional provision requiring 33 percent women in Parliament, there should also be a mandatory provision for Dalits, she argued. 

In the House of Representatives of 2022, there were 15 Dalit representatives (5.81 percent) while in the 2008 Constituent Assembly, 50 Dalits (8.32 percent) were present. 

There were 40 Dalits (6.65 percent) in the 2010 Constituent Assembly, and 20 Dalits (7.27 percent) in the House of Representatives of 2018. 

Looking at these numbers, the representation of Dalits in Parliament is seen to be decreasing consecutively. 

Out of 59 members of the National Assembly, only eight are Dalits. 

Although Article 42(1) of the Constitution has stated that socially disadvantaged individuals shall have the right to participate in state agencies based on the principle of inclusiveness, its practical implementation has not been achieved. 

The filing of candidacies under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) of the House of Representatives elections was conducted successfully across the country on Tuesday.

As per election schedule, complaints, if any, can be lodged against the candidates fighting the direct elections today. 

The Election Commission would make public the final list of candidates under the direct election (FPTP) after investigating the complaints the next day.

Nepal has completed candidate nominations under its First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system, marking a critical step toward the country’s upcoming parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5. The process concluded largely peacefully, easing concerns about political instability.

Nepal’s federal parliament consists of 275 members, with 165 elected through the FPTP system and the remaining 110 through proportional representation (PR). With nominations now finalized, the Election Commission is moving ahead with the election calendar. Below are ten developments emerging from the nomination process that merit attention.

1. Candidate numbers exceed 3,000

According to Nepal’s Election Commission, more than 3,000 candidates have filed nominations under the FPTP system. This figure is expected to decline slightly as parties negotiate withdrawals. Separately, 3,293 candidates from 63 political parties have registered under the proportional representation system.

2. An influx of new faces

Political parties have introduced a notable number of first-time candidates, reflecting growing public pressure for political renewal. Analysts link this trend partly to youth-led protests in September that called for accountability and generational change. The Nepali Congress, one of the country’s largest parties, has nominated 106 new candidates out of its 165 FPTP slots. The CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), and the newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have also fielded a large number of new contenders, though comprehensive data is still pending.

3. Absence of pre-election alliances

In contrast to the 2017 and 2022 elections—when major parties formed electoral alliances—no formal pre-poll coalitions have been announced this time. Major parties, including the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, RSP, and the Nepali Communist Party, have fielded candidates in most constituencies. While limited seat adjustments may still occur, parties appear to be testing their individual electoral strength.

4. Limited progress on inclusion

Despite constitutional commitments to inclusivity, candidate representation under the FPTP system remains uneven. Women, Indigenous communities, and other marginalized groups are underrepresented. While proportional representation lists are legally required to ensure diversity, no such obligation exists under FPTP, resulting in only about 400 female candidates nationwide.

5. High-profile contest draws attention

One of the most closely watched races is in Jhapa-5, where former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is facing former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, a popular independent figure known for his anti-establishment appeal. The constituency drew nationwide attention during nominations, with competing demonstrations of political strength and minor clashes reported.

6. Prominent political figures shift constituencies

Several senior leaders are contesting from strategically significant constituencies. Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has moved from his traditional stronghold in Kathmandu to Sarlahi-4 in the southern Madhes region. Former Prime Minister and Maoist leader Pushpa Kamal Dahal is contesting from Rukum (East), a historic center of the Maoist insurgency. Former Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai has reversed an earlier decision not to contest and is running from Gorkha-2. RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane is contesting from Chitwan-2, while former top bureaucrat Kul Man Ghising is running from Kathmandu-3. Veteran leader Sher Bahadur Deuba, a dominant political figure since the 1990s, has opted not to contest this election.

7. Journalists enter electoral politics

A growing number of journalists have entered the electoral race, underscoring public distrust in traditional political elites and the media’s expanding role in politics. Prominent television host Rishi Dhamala and several other journalists are contesting from various constituencies. Nepal’s state-run news agency reports that more than a dozen journalists are running for office—more than in previous elections.

8. RSP expands nationwide presence

The Rastriya Swatantra Party, which emerged as a major political force in the 2022 elections, has fielded candidates in 164 of Nepal’s 165 constituencies, excluding the remote Himalayan district of Manang. This positions the party alongside long-established parties and reflects its rapid organizational growth. The monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party has also fielded candidates nationwide.

9. Legal hurdles cleared

Nepal’s Supreme Court declined to intervene in internal disputes within the Nepali Congress, refusing to issue a stay order that could have delayed the election process. The decision has removed a major legal obstacle and allowed the Election Commission to proceed as scheduled.

10. Cabinet ministers resign to contest

Four cabinet ministers resigned to contest the elections, drawing criticism from civil society groups and opposition figures. Critics argue that ministers should prioritize ensuring free and fair elections rather than seeking electoral office, while supporters defend the resignations as consistent with democratic norms.

The Election Commission has stated that citizenship certificates are mandatory for the filling of nominations by candidates contesting the March 5 House of Representatives elections.

As per the election calendar set by the commission, nomination of candidates is being held across the country today. 

A copy of the citizenship certificate or a copy of the voter ID card is mandatory for registration of candidacy. Similarly, proof that the name is included in the final voter list of any rural municipality or municipality of the country is also required.

If the candidate is holding a position in the Government of Nepal, Provincial Government or local level or is receiving remuneration from an organization that receives grants from the Government, proof of resignation from such position is also required. 

The nomination papers submitted need to be signed by one who has proposed and one who seconded the candidacy, by those whose names are included in the final voter list of the same constituency.

If a party has filed a candidacy, a formal letter of nomination for a candidate for the House of Representatives issued by the party’s central executive committee or a similar committee authorized to issue a formal letter of nomination for the candidate will be required.

Similarly, in the case of parties participating in the election jointly by taking a single election symbol, a formal letter of nomination for the candidate as per the House of Representatives Election Guidelines, 2082 BS, will also be required.

Candidates also need to submit a receipt of a deposit of Rs. 10,000 at the office of the concerned election officer. In the case of women, Dalits, minority communities, or economically disadvantaged candidates, a 50 percent discount on the deposit amount has been provided.

Similarly, the candidate must also provide a sealed property statement stating the details of his movable and immovable properties, accounts in banks and financial institutions, securities, shares, bonds, and loans given to or taken from anyone.