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Voting for the National Assembly elections concluded today in a peaceful and enthusiastic manner, according to the Election Commission (EC). 

The voting was held from 9 am to 3 pm across all seven provinces, recording an overall voter turnout of 95.68 percent, EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said.

The election was conducted for 17 among 18 seats that would fall vacant in the Upper House of the federal parliament from March 4. It is noted that one seat had already been filled unopposed. 

According to the Offices of the Election Officers, 345 out of 360 voters cast their votes in Koshi Province, followed by 341 out of 364 in Madhesh, 318 out of 338 in Bagmati, 286 out of 299 in Lumbini, 223 out of 228 in Gandaki, 191 out of 198 in Karnali, and 220 out of 224 in Sudurpaschim provinces.

In total, 1,924 votes were cast out of 2,011 voters across the country, the EC said.

Meanwhile, the Election Commission has expressed gratitude to political parties, candidates, and all concerned stakeholders for contributing to the successful conduct of the elections. Vote counting will take place at the respective Offices of the Election Commission after collecting the ballot boxes.

Out of the 18 posts, one seat under the Khas Arya category in Koshi Province was already filled unopposed. 

Sunil Bahadur Thapa of the Nepali Congress was elected to this post.

Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has said that the Cyber Bureau does not need approval from senior officials or any other bodies to take action against those spreading misleading information on social sites. 

During a visit to the Cyber Bureau of the Nepal Police at Bhotahiti, the minister made it clear that the Bureau’s personnel are free to bring anyone violating the law under investigation. 

He urged the Bureau to closely monitor the spread of indecent, baseless, and legally prohibited content, as well as misinformation and disinformation on social media, in view of the upcoming election to the House of Representatives. 

The minister also called for prompt action against cases involving fake information and emphasized that the Bureau should remain more active in view of the election.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expressed the view that evils, aberrations, and corruption should be ended through mutual cooperation and collaboration.

At the first convocation ceremony of the Nepal Open University organized today, PM Karki, also the Chancellor of the University, stressed the need of resolving existing problems by creating employment opportunities in the country through excellence in higher education. 

"We should build our country by ending anomalies and corruption. I urge the graduated students to collaborate in the campaign of nation building. The university should impart productive-oriented education in order to stop brain drain of students, address the changing scenario of today's youth as well as create an environment where produced human resources can contribute to the nation," she mentioned. 

Similarly, educationist and former Vice Chancellor of the Tribhuvan University, Kedar Bhakta Mathema, argued that it is the responsibility of the students of Open University to engage in lifelong learning and give continuity to the learning even in difficult situations. 

Likewise, Vice Chancellor of the Open University, Dr Shilu Bajracharya, shared that the Open University has been imparting higher education to the people, who have been spending their busy lives through the medium of distance learning, in a convenient manner. 

A total of 545 students from various faculties graduated from the Open University.

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.

According to Nepal’s Election Commission, 3486 candidates have filed nominations under the FPTP system. Out of the total candidates, there are 3,089 men, 396 women, and one person from other categories. 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.

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 Center), and the newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) have also fielded a large number of new contenders.

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.

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 

One of the most closely watched races is in Jhapa-5, where former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli faces former Kathmandu mayor Balen 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.

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.

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

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 established parties and reflects its rapid organizational growth. The monarchist Rastriya Prajatantra Party has also fielded candidates nationwide.

Nepal’s Supreme Court has refused 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. 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.