The International Republican Institute (IRI), a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to advancing democracy and freedom globally, is deploying a delegation of international election observers to Kathmandu, Nepal, from March 1 to 7, 2026, to assess the conduct of the March 5 House of Representatives election.

This high-level mission, comprised of international policy and elections experts, will arrive in Kathmandu on March 1 to meet with a broad range of stakeholders, including the Election Commission, political parties, Interim Government officials, and civic organizations from across the Nepali political spectrum.

“Nepal’s House of Representatives election will be a critical test of whether its young democracy can respond to citizens’ demands for accountability, generational renewal, and more responsive governance,” said Steve Cima, IRI’s Resident Program Director for Asia-Pacific.  “The outcome will help determine whether the country can restore public trust in its institutions and move toward greater political stability.”

The delegation’s report, which will offer an impartial assessment of the quality and conduct of electoral processes, including thematic findings and recommendations from the pre-election period and election day administration, will be released in the weeks following the elections.

Since 1983, IRI has organized over 270 international election observation missions worldwide, earning a reputation for objectivity and professionalism. The mission will conduct its activities in accordance with the laws of Nepal and the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and the Code of Conduct adopted by the United Nations in 2005. All activities will be conducted on a strictly nonpartisan basis and without interfering in the electoral process.