Nepal Approves 114 Parties for First Post-Uprising Election

Nepal's Election Commission has approved 114 political parties, including several new ones, to contest the upcoming general election scheduled for March 5, 2026. This will be the first election since a mass uprising in September 2025 ousted the government. Commission spokesman Narayan Prasad Bhattarai confirmed that approximately 19 million eligible voters have registered. The election aims to ensure a "free, impartial, and peaceful environment." Around a fifth of the approved parties are new, including groups formed by young activists who spearheaded the anti-corruption protests that sparked the September uprising. The uprising was initially triggered by a brief social media ban but quickly escalated into widespread anger over economic hardship and corruption. Nepal's political future remains uncertain, with deep public distrust of established parties posing a significant challenge to holding credible elections.