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India is providing political, diplomatic, and logistical support for Nepal’s March 5 elections, viewing the polls as the most viable path out of the country’s ongoing political crisis. Drawing lessons from recent developments in Bangladesh and following Nepal’s GenZ–led movement, New Delhi conveyed a clear message to both the government and major political parties: elections are the only way forward.

India was the first country to welcome the inauguration of Sushila Karki as interim head of the government. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi subsequently held talks with her, signaling strong diplomatic backing. Much of the Western political establishments also aligned with India’s position of holding elections on schedule. While Western partners emphasized the need for reforms prior to the polls, India argued that restoring law and order and conducting timely elections should be the immediate priority.

Initially, the leadership of both the Nepali Congress (NC) and the CPN-UML appeared hesitant about proceeding with the elections. According to political sources, Indian officials urged the NC leadership to take a firm decision in favor of elections, a move that also pressured the UML to follow suit. India further encouraged NC leaders to resolve internal disputes related to the special general convention and focus their attention on the electoral process.

The Karki-led interim government also sought India’s support in conducting the elections. This reportedly influenced its decision not to recall Nepal’s Ambassador to New Delhi, Shankar Sharma, who was appointed under the Nepali Congress quota.

India has since provided all logistical assistance requested by Nepal. The first and second tranches of election-related support have already been delivered. Under the first tranche, India supplied 60 vehicles, while the second tranche included 250 vehicles. A third tranche of assistance is currently in the pipeline. According to diplomatic sources, India believes that the March 5 elections will help ensure the formation of a democratic government and contribute to political stability in Nepal.

New Delhi assessed that postponing the elections could open the door for external and internal forces to destabilize Nepal, with direct implications for India’s security interests.India and Western countries broadly share concerns over China’s expanding influence in Nepal.

The Election Commission has stated that printing and packing of ballot papers for 25 districts for the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system has been completed. 

According to the information provided by the EC, printing and packing of ballot papers for Dolpa, Mugu, Jumla, Kalikot, Humla, Jajarkot, Dailekh, Rukum West, Salyan, Surkhet, Bajura and Achham has been carried out. 

Similarly, printing and packing of ballots for 25 districts, including Bajhang, Doti, Dadeldhura, Darchula, Baitadi, Kailali, Kanchanpur, Panchthar, Ilam, Tehrathum, Bhojpur, Okhaldhunga, and Sunsari has been completed. 

Printing of ballots for 60 districts has also been completed, but packing is still remaining. 

According to the EC, the printing of ballots has reached its final stage with packing also gradually progressing. 

The printing of ballots is taking place at Janak Education Materials Centre Limited. 

As informed, the printing of ballots for the proportional electoral system has been completed. 

A total of 20,830,000 ballots for the proportional system have been printed, packed, registered, and prepared for delivery. 

Similarly, 20,323,000 ballots need to be printed for the FPTP electoral system. 

The printing of ballots for the FPTP electoral system started on January 30. 

Likewise, 1,098,200 sample ballots have been printed and delivered to various districts, the Commission stated. 

The death toll in a Baitadi bus accident has reached 13. 

The bus was carrying wedding attendants. 

Eight among them died on the spot and five others breathed their last at Dadeldhura Hospital. 

The Bajhang-bound bus (Supa Province 02 001 Kha 1119) from Purchaidi Municipality-7, Bhawane of Baitadi  met with an accident at Purchaidi-7 Badgaun Mode on Thursday. 

Baitadi Police Chief Deepak Kumar Roy said that 40-year-old Keshav Raj Joshi of Bitthadchir Rural Municipality-7, Bajhang, 13-year-old Ashok Raj Joshi from the same place, 35-year-old Basanta Joshi, 41-year-old Bisna Dutta Joshi, 60-year-old Mohan Dev Bhatta of Kedarsyu Rural Municipality, Bajhang, 40-year-old Basanta Raj Ratala of Jayaprithvi Municipality, Bajhang, and 40-year-old Pushpa Awasthi of Purchaudi-7, Baitadi died on the spot. The identity of a person is yet to be established. 

Those pronounced dead at Dadeldhura Hospital include 17-year-old Bisna Dutta Joshi of Bitthadchir Rural Municipality-7, Bajhang, 28-year-old Deepk Raj Joshi of the same place, 46-year-old Kisana Dutta Joshi, 27-year-old Keshav Raj Bhatta from Bassi, Kedarsyu Municipality-7, and 15-year-old Sushil Joshi of Purchaudi Municipality-7, Baitadi. 

Thirty-four others injured in the accident are being treated in Dadeldhura, Dhangadhi, and Bajhang. 

The bride and groom, however, were not onboard the bus, it has been informed. 

Senior US and Iranian officials are expected to meet in Oman later for direct talks amid a crisis that has raised fears of a military confrontation between the two countries, BBC reported. 

The discussions come after a US military build-up in the Middle East in response to Iran's violent repression of nationwide anti-government protests last month, that human rights groups say killed many thousands of people.

Uncertainty over the location and scope had threatened to derail the talks, which are part of a diplomatic effort by regional mediators to de-escalate tensions, according to BBC.