With 45 days remaining until Nepal’s House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5, Nepal’s political scene has intensified as nomination registration begins nationwide with a series of high-profile candidacies and resignations.
Prime ministerial candidate of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Balen Shah, has announced his candidacy from Jhapa-5, setting up a direct contest with CPN-UML Chair KP Sharma Oli from the same constituency. Jhapa-5, regarded as Oli’s stronghold, is expected to be one of the most closely watched constituencies in the election, with both candidates leading their respective parties’ prime ministerial bids.
Several senior political figures have stepped down from executive positions to enter the race. Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City Mayor Harka Sampang has resigned from his post and submitted his resignation to Deputy Mayor Aindra Bikram Begha. He has announced that he will contest the election from Sunsari-1. Bharatpur Metropolitan City Mayor Renu Dahal has also resigned, while former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ has reached Rukum to file his candidacy.
Education Minister Mahabir Pun resigned from his post to focus on election campaigning, a decision announced publicly by Finance Minister Rameshwar Khanal. Pun has filed his nomination as an independent candidate from Myagdi for the HoR elections.
Sports Minister Bablu Gupta has also resigned and is expected to join the Rastriya Swatantra Party, from which he is likely to contest from Siraha-1. IT and Communication Minister Jagdish Kharel has stepped down after reportedly receiving an RSP ticket.
Nepali Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa is set to contest from Sarlahi-4, shifting from Kathmandu-4, where he was elected in the previous election. Party General Secretary Pradeep Paudel confirmed the plan, though ticket distribution has not been formally finalised. The party has also granted a ticket to Chandra Bhandari from Gulmi-1, where he was elected in the 2079 elections. Former Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has decided not to contest from Dadeldhura, ending a continuous winning streak there since 1991.
Journalist Rishi Dhamala has quit his popular television program Janata Janna Chahanchhan and announced his candidacy from Rautahat-4 under the Aam Janata Party using the Mobile symbol. Social activist Ashika Tamang is set to contest from Dhading-1 representing the RSP, while RSP candidate Sagar Dhakal will contest from Gulmi-1.
Meanwhile, activist Durga Prasai was arrested in Pokhara and brought to Kathmandu after accusing the Election Commission of taking bribes to grant party recognition.
The Election Commission has enforced the Election Code of Conduct, 2082, effective from Sunday midnight, stating that the code aims to ensure free, fair, transparent, and fear-free elections.
