World News
Nepal Votes for New Government After Gen-Z Protests: Key Leaders Face Toughest Political Test
Nepal is heading to the polls today in a crucial election that could reshape the country’s political future. This is the first national vote since last year’s powerful Gen-Z-led protests that forced the government out of power and left at least 77 people dead.
Nepal is heading to the polls today in a crucial election that could reshape the country’s political future. This is the first national vote since last year’s powerful Gen-Z-led protests that forced the government out of power and left at least 77 people dead.
The election will determine the new leadership of the Himalayan nation and replace the interim government currently led by Sushila Karki.
For many voters, this election is more than just a routine democratic exercise. It is widely seen as a referendum on Nepal’s traditional political leadership, often referred to as the country’s “Old Guard,” who have dominated politics for over a decade.
Among the prominent faces in the race are Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, KP Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN-UML), and Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).
However, the political landscape has changed significantly since last year’s protests. A wave of frustration among young voters, fueled by economic challenges and dissatisfaction with long-standing political leaders, has opened the door for a new generation of politicians.
One of the most talked-about figures in this election is Rabi Lamichhane of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The former media personality has quickly emerged as a popular youth leader, representing a fresh alternative to traditional politics.
Another high-profile contest is taking place in Jhapa-5 in eastern Nepal, where former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli, 74, is facing a serious challenge from Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician and former mayor of Kathmandu, has become a symbol of youth-driven political change in the country.
Meanwhile, 49-year-old Gagan Thapa, recently appointed head of the Nepali Congress, is also considered a strong contender for the top job. He is contesting from the Sarlahi-4 constituency in southern Nepal.
Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki has called on citizens to participate in the election without fear, urging voters to exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
Election officials say preparations have been completed across the country. Ballot materials have even been transported to remote snow-covered regions, highlighting the logistical challenges of conducting elections in a country that is home to eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, including Mount Everest.
In total, voters will elect 275 members to the House of Representatives, the lower chamber of Nepal’s parliament. Of these, 165 seats will be decided through the first-past-the-post system, while the remaining 110 seats will be allocated through proportional representation.
Counting the votes could take several days, and forming the next government may take even longer if coalition negotiations become complicated.
For many Nepalis, this election represents a turning point — a chance to decide whether the country will continue under its traditional political leadership or move toward a new era shaped by younger voices.
