Nepalis Vote in Landmark Election Following Youth-Led Protests

Millions of Nepalis voted in the first general election since youth-led protests toppled the government, focusing on corruption and inequality. Key candidates include former PM Oli and newcomer Balen Shah. Results are expected next week amid hopes for change.

Historic Election Amidst Youth-Led Protests

Millions of Nepalis participated in the country's first general election since the violent youth-led protests last September that resulted in the government's overthrow.

The primary concerns influencing the vote were corruption, economic stagnation, and inequality. These issues ignited the uprising, during which 77 individuals lost their lives, many being protesters shot by police.

This election marks a pivotal moment for Nepal, contrasting established political figures with a new generation of politicians appealing to the energetic and change-driven Gen Z voters.

Vote Counting and Logistics

Counting votes for the 275 parliamentary seats is anticipated to take several days, with results expected no earlier than next week. Nepal's challenging mountainous terrain complicates and slows the transportation of ballots, which are tallied manually.

Nearly 19 million registered voters, including close to one million first-time voters, participated in the 5 March election for the House of Representatives. The voting process was largely peaceful, supported by a significant security presence nationwide.

Key Candidates and Political Dynamics

Among the leading candidates are KP Sharma Oli, the prime minister ousted during the protests, and Balen Shah, a former rapper who resigned as Kathmandu mayor in January to contest Oli in the Jhapa 5 constituency, a critical race in this election.

For Oli, this election serves as a critical test. He and his party, the Communist Party of Nepal UML, maintain that the protests were not a referendum on his leadership and assert that he remains popular. He expressed confidence in his victory to the BBC.

Gagan Thapa, leader of the Nepali Congress, stated that younger voters are weary of "unholy alliances" and "poor governance" in past coalitions, emphasizing that his party is attentive to Gen Z voters.

Balen Shah, representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), declined to engage directly with the press on election day, maintaining his characteristic demeanor by wearing black sunglasses and swiftly moving through journalists. This approach has raised concerns among Nepal's media about potential future communication challenges if he assumes office. Nevertheless, many young voters view his youth and vigor as essential for the country's progress, seeing him as a symbol of a new era.

Both Oli and Thapa's parties, which have governed multiple times, have conveyed messages suggesting they acknowledge the demand for change. Whether this resonates with voters remains uncertain.

Perspectives from Gen Z and Voters

Rakshya Bam, a prominent Gen Z leader in Nepal, expressed skepticism about the parties' commitments.

"I think none of the parties have incorporated the pact that was signed between the government and the Gen Z in their election manifestos," she told the BBC ahead of the vote.

"They want to sell the name of Gen Z and come into power so they are using the term Gen Z movement… I don't have much expectations from the elections."

Ispa Sapkota, who voted in Kathmandu, shared her motivations for participating in the protests and the election.

"We want a better nation," she said. "When I and others search for jobs, we're not able to get any here. Brain drain is becoming the most important problem in our country."

If Balen Shah wins, it would signal a significant departure from the governance that has hindered Nepal for decades. For over thirty years, the country has experienced a cycle of coalition governments primarily dominated by three parties, two of which are communist.

This election will determine whether Gen Z voters have persuaded the broader population to entrust a new, inexperienced generation with shaping Nepal's future or if longstanding political figures will maintain control.

Election System and Timeline

Of the 275 seats in the lower house, 165 are elected through a first-past-the-post system, where the candidate with the most votes wins. The remaining 110 members of parliament are selected via proportional representation, reflecting the share of votes each political party receives.

The election commission has pledged to complete counting by 9 March and to announce the results of the 165 directly elected seats within 24 hours after counting begins. However, collecting ballot boxes from remote mountainous areas to counting centers typically requires at least one day.

Officials indicated that tallying the proportional representation votes could take an additional two to three days.

The newly formed government, based on the seats won, will be tasked with implementing reforms and addressing critical issues such as corruption and governance.