Nepal PM Karki discusses poll preparations with Election Commission

Nepalese Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Tuesday discussed preparations for the upcoming general elections with officials of the Election Commission.

Karki, 73, assumed office on September 12, ending days of political uncertainty following the ouster of Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli after youth-led Gen Z protests against his government over corruption and a ban on social media. Acting on Karki’s recommendation, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives and announced March 5 as the date for fresh elections.

The meeting, held at the Office of the Prime Minister in Singha Durbar, was attended by a delegation led by Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari. Discussions covered necessary legal amendments, election management, resource mobilisation, and related issues, officials said.

Law Minister Anil Kumar Sinha, who also participated in the meeting, told reporters that the talks focused on identifying and addressing potential hurdles to election preparations.

Speaking to the media after the meeting, EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai described it as a preliminary dialogue with the government regarding preparations for the general elections.

Both the government and the Election Commission agreed that the polls must be conducted on time as mandated. The EC is committed to holding free and impartial elections while ensuring cost-effectiveness, Bhattarai said.

The Commission has requested the government to amend the Voter Registration Act, 2073 BS, and provide the necessary resources to conduct the elections on the announced date.

Currently, the number of eligible voters citizens aged 18 years and above is estimated at 1,81,68,000. However, with the fresh elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, legal provisions will be required to reopen voter registration, an EC official noted.