Polls opened on March 15, 2024, in Nepal, marking the country’s first nationwide election since a youth-led uprising ousted the government last year. Security forces are present in large numbers across the Himalayan nation of approximately 30 million people, ensuring the safety of voters as they cast their ballots. Vote counting will commence later today, with preliminary results anticipated over the weekend.
Acting chief election commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari reported that both campaigning and voting have proceeded peacefully, with no incidents of violence. “There is huge excitement about this election among the people, and we anticipate the voter turnout to be at least 65 percent,” Bhandari stated. Authorities have implemented strict measures, including vehicle bans and prohibitions on public gatherings, to maintain order on election day.
Voters began lining up early, even before polling stations opened at 07:00. Among them was Hari Sharan Giri, a 70-year-old painter, who expressed his hopes for change. “I am here to vote hoping to bring new changes in Nepal; that was what all of us are seeking, and that was what all the Gen Z revolt was about,” he remarked.
Nearly 19 million people are eligible to participate in this election, according to the Election Commission. Voters are tasked with directly electing 165 members to the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Parliament. The remaining 110 seats will be filled through a proportional representation system, allowing political parties to nominate lawmakers based on their share of the vote.
This election is widely regarded as a three-way contest, influenced by public frustration over rampant corruption and a demand for greater accountability in government. The National Independent Party, established in 2022, is viewed as the front-runner, challenging the long-standing dominance of the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal.
The prime ministerial candidate for the National Independent Party is rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah. Shah, who previously served as the mayor of Kathmandu, gained prominence during the protests that led to the removal of former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. At 35 years old, he has harnessed public dissatisfaction with traditional political structures, focusing his campaign on improving health and education for impoverished Nepalis.
The protests that catalyzed the uprising began as a reaction to a social media ban but quickly escalated into widespread demonstrations against government corruption and inefficiency. The unrest resulted in dozens of fatalities and numerous injuries, as protesters clashed with police and government forces.
While the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party still have loyal voter bases, Shah’s party has attracted larger crowds during campaign events, particularly among younger voters eager for change. Shah was one of the first candidates to arrive at a polling station in Kathmandu, where he is contesting a seat in the southeastern district against Oli.
The incoming administration will face significant challenges, including delivering on the demands that emerged from last year’s protests, addressing entrenched corruption, and managing complex relationships with powerful neighboring countries, particularly India and China.
As millions of Nepalis cast their ballots, hopes are high for a transformative outcome in this pivotal election, which holds the potential to reshape the nation’s political landscape.
