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The latest electoral data from Nepal reveals a profound demographic shift that is reshaping the nation’s political landscape. While the country has historically been governed by a ‘senior guard’, a new wave of political representation is emerging, characterized by a sharp divide between the voting and candidacy patterns of the youth and the elderly. This generational disconnect suggests that while established parties like the Nepali Congress (NC), CPN-UML, and Nepali Communist Party (NCP) maintain institutional loyalty among seniors, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has effectively monopolized the aspirations of the younger generation.

For the first time in recent history, the ‘under 30’ demographic has found a singular political home. The RSP has positioned itself as the primary vehicle for youth participation, fielding 17 individuals. In a surprising show of grassroots youth engagement, the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party follows with 14 individuals under 30. 

This stands in stark contrast to the UML, which has managed to field only three, and the Nepali Congress, which remarkably has zero representation in this youngest category. Other parties like the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (seven individuals), CPN (Maoist) (four individuals) and NCP (one individual) show minor engagement. Smaller entities like the Shram Sanskriti Party (seven), Ujyalo Nepal Party (nine) round out the group, but the data suggests that for the GenZ demographic, the RSP is the primary attraction.

As we move into the 31 to 40-year-old demographic, the RSP reaches its peak influence with a massive 53 individuals. This is the highest concentration of talent for the party and signals a strong grip on the young-adult workforce. This age group also sees a significant surge from the Ujyalo Nepal Party with 33 individuals, the CPN (Maoist) with 36, and the Shram Sanskriti Party with 31. Interestingly, even in this energetic age bracket, the traditional ‘big two’ remain largely absent, with the UML fielding only 10 and the NC only nine. The NCP shows a slightly higher involvement here with 18 candidates, while the RPP fields 26 and the Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party maintains 19.

The 41 to 50 age bracket serves as the ultimate competitive melting pot, where almost all parties show their most balanced numbers. The NCP holds the highest number here with 61 candidates, followed closely by the RSP with 51 individuals. They are joined at the top by the CPN (Maoist) and the Shram Sanskriti Party, both of which have exactly 50 individuals. The RPP also shows its strength here with 44 individuals. It is only at this stage—the mid-40s—that the NC (39) and UML (36) begin to see their numbers rise, suggesting that their recruitment pipelines favor those who have ‘paid their dues’ over several decades. Other notable presences in this middle bracket include the Ujyalo Nepal (29), and Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party (38).

The power dynamic shifts entirely once we cross the 50-year threshold. In the 51 to 60 age group, the CPN-UML records the single highest number in the entire dataset with 71 individuals, followed closely by the Nepali Congress with 67 and the RPP with 51. The NCP remains a significant force with 47 candidates. Meanwhile, the RSP begins to dip with 41 individuals, and the CPN (Maoist) drops to 28. In this bracket, the Ujyalo Nepal (25) and Nepal Majdur Kishan Party (38) maintain steady numbers, but this group clearly represents the ‘power center’ of the established parties, where organizational experience is most highly valued.

Finally, the 61 and above category cements the divide. The Nepali Congress leads the seniors with 50 individuals, followed by the CPN-UML with 44, NCP with 37, and the RPP with 35. In a sharp reversal of the youth trend, the newer parties are almost non-existent among the elderly. The CPN (Maoist) has 12, the Ujyalo Nepal has eight, and the Shram Sanskriti Party has six. Most notably, the RSP has a mere two individuals in this senior group. 

This data paints a final picture of a nation split by time: a youth-led movement is rising from the bottom, while the traditional guard continues to hold the fort from the top.

The Election Commission (EC) has reported that its Central Election Code of Conduct Monitoring Committee received 66 complaints related to violations of the election code of conduct so far. It has sought clarifications from the concerned political parties, organizations, media outlets and individuals. Of these, 32 responses have already been received.

According to EC Legal Officer Mohan Raj Joshi, clarifications were demanded from political parties, election candidates, government and non-government organizations, as well as media houses and journalists. In the case of registered media outlets and journalists, the EC sought responses through the Press Council Nepal.

The complaints of code of conduct violations have also been registered at the district level. These cases are currently under investigation and are being processed for necessary action.

To ensure effective monitoring and enforcement of the code of conduct, assistant chief district officers in all 77 districts have been assigned to oversee non-financial matters. Financial aspects are being monitored by the chief district treasury controllers and treasury controllers, in accordance with Clause 32 of the Election Code of Conduct.

Joshi added that stakeholders at the district level have expressed their commitment to ensuring the effective implementation of the election code of conduct.

The printing of ballot papers for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) elections has reached the final stage.

According to the Janak Education Materials Center Limited, the remaining 500,000 ballot papers would be printed by this afternoon. 

Managing Director of the Center, Yadunath Poudel, confirmed that printing works will be completed by this evening.

"Printing of the ballot papers under the direct election system has reached the final phase," he said, adding that the remaining 500,000 ballot papers out of 20.3 million ballot papers will be printed by today. 

The Center had started the printing works with a schedule of 42 days and is accomplishing its task in 40 days.  

The ballot papers will be dispatched in all districts by tomorrow, Managing Director Poudel said. 

Similarly, 20,830,000 ballot papers for the proportional representation electoral system have already been printed. 

A total of 20,323,000 ballot papers are to be printed for the first-past-the-post electoral system.

The political parties and the candidates of the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5 are beginning their formal election campaigns from today as per the election code of conduct. 

According to the Election Commission (EC), the candidates and political parties are allowed to organize rallies, mass meetings, corner assemblies and publish their election-related materials in the media outlets only from 15 days of the elections.

As per the same provision of the election code of conduct, the political parties and candidates could continue the publicity campaigns until March 1 midnight.

The EC has urged all stakeholders to conduct the election campaigns by fully upholding the integrity of elections.  

Likewise, the EC has also mobilized different mechanisms for the implementation and monitoring of the election code of conduct.  

In case of violation of the election code of conduct, the EC would seek clarification from the political parties and candidates, and would advance further legal actions. However, the EC has made it clear that such a situation for action would not come since the code of conduct was formulated after a massive interaction with the political parties and stakeholders.

Similarly, Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that the EC has taken the zero tolerance policy against the violation of the election code of conduct.