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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.

Forum of Neplease Journalist  has decided to confer the Shri Umakant Paudel Memorial Journalism Award on senior journalist Shiromani Dawadi. The decision was taken at a meeting held on Saturday at Lakuri Bhanjyang, Lalitpur. The Forum honored Dawadi in recognition of his nearly three decades of active contribution to various media outlets.

The award was established in memory of late Umakant Paudel, father of former General Secretary of Forum of Neplease Journalist, Ram Paudel. The award selection committee, formed under the coordination of Vice President Bimal Thapa, selected Dawadi for this year’s honor.

According to Forum President Yubaraj Bidrohi, the award will be formally presented to Dawadi during a special ceremony on Chaitra 30 on the occasion of the establishment day of Nepal Journalists Forum.

Meanwhile, the meeting also announced the establishment of the Shri Indraprasad–Yanakumari Acharya Memorial Educational Journalism Award, instituted in memory of the late parents of educationist Narayan Acharya—Yanakumari Acharya and Indraprasad Acharya. The award, carrying a cash prize of Rs 11,111, will be presented annually to one journalist who has made a significant contribution in the field of educational journalism.

The Forum expressed gratitude to the Paudel and Acharya families for instituting the awards and stated that Forum of Neplease Journalist has been honoring journalists with awards in 10 different categories every year in recognition of their contributions to journalism.

The local administration in Baitadi has urged all concerned to submit the licensed weapons registered in individual names in the wake of forthcoming elections to the House of Representatives.

For the purpose of making the HoR elections scheduled for March 5, the district administration urged the people for arms submission if they have kept the arms and ammunition with license.

Assistant Chief District Officer Krishna Thapa issued a directive to all concerned ones to provide the individual licensed weapons to the authority. They can submit the weapons to the District Police Office and local administration or any police office at their convenient places before February 3.

The District Administration Office, Rupandehi has issued a similar directive to submit the weapons kept individually by taking license. The district people bearing such weapons are asked to hand over the weapons before January 29.

The District Administration Office, Lamjung has given a February 3 deadline for the submission of the licensed weapons. It is said more than 1,000 persons have possessed such weapons in the district.

The local administrations have warned of legal actions if the licensed armed and ammunition are not handed over to the authority. The offices made it clear that the weapons would, however, be returned to the respective persons after the HoR elections are held successfully.

The districts have been making other security arrangements for the safety at poll centers and security to candidates in the March 5 HoR elections.

The nominations under the direct election, first-past-the-post, of 165 members of HoR were conducted peacefully across the country on Tuesday.

CPN-UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet has filed his candidacy from Bhaktapur constituency 2 for the House of Representatives elections.

Basnet registered his candidacy by reaching the office of the election officer along with party leaders and cadres.

Rastriya Swatantra Party senior leader Balendra Shah (Balen) has filed his candidacy from Jhapa constituency 5 for the House of Representatives elections.

Shah registered his candidacy by reaching the office of the election officer at the Organic Agricultural Market in Damak.

Bheshraj Bhattarai proposed Shah’s candidacy while Bhuminanda Baral seconded the proposal.

Meanwhile, CPN-UML Chairman and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has registered his candidacy from the same constituency.

Dharan Sub-metropolitan City former Mayor Harka Raj Rai (Harka Sampang) registered his candidacy from Sunsari constituency 1 for the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.

He filed his candidacy on behalf of the Shram Sanskriti Party.

After resigning from the post of mayor, Sampang formally entered parliamentary politics and filed his candidacy for the House of Representatives elections.

Along with Sampang, other candidates have also filed nominations from Sunsari-1.

President Ram Chandra Paudel has assigned Prime Minister Sushila Karki the responsibility of overseeing three additional ministries following the resignation of their respective ministers.

Minister for Education, Science and Technology Mahabir Pun, Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel, and Minister for Youth and Sports Bablu Gupta have resigned from their posts.

In view of the posts of ministers falling vacant at the three ministries, the Head of State has designated the Prime Minister to handle the portfolios of these ministries.

The price of gold reached an all-time high in the domestic market on Tuesday, setting a new historical record.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Traders, the price of gold has increased by Rs 2, 700 per tola to reach Rs 284, 700 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 282, 000 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the price of silver has increased by Rs 70 and is being traded at Rs 5, 880 per tola.