The countdown to Nepal’s March 5, 2026, elections accelerates with the Election Commission’s release of a 3,135-strong candidate list from 63 parties and 57 symbols. Breaking it down, 1,772 women lead the pack over 1,363 men, fulfilling the 33% quota enshrined in constitutional Articles 84 and 86.
Empowerment metrics shine: 91 female lawmakers in the 275-member House from 2023-2025, driven by Nepali Congress and CPN-UML. Locally, 2019 polls installed 14,352 women, signaling deep-rooted change.
Enter heightened vigilance: A 72-hour border shutdown with India ensures no foul play.
Forged at the 16th APF-SSB DIG summit in Biratnagar Friday, the accord targets election spoilers head-on.
‘India backed our call to seal posts two days early,’ APF’s DIG Vishnu Prasad Bhatt told media. Standard fare for bilateral polls, it offsets risks from diverted forces to vote centers.
Talks tackled smuggling rings—humans, narcotics, arms, counterfeits—and third-party incursions.
This dual thrust of candidate clarity and frontier lockdown positions Nepal for unimpeded democratic exercise.