KATHMANDU: Nepal's interim government has said preparations are on track for parliamentary elections next week, the first since a deadly 2025 uprising, urging voters to exercise their right "without fear". The Himalayan republic of 30 million people holds elections on March 5, less than six months after youth-led anti-corruption protests toppled the previous government. The unrest killed at least 77 people and left parliament in flames.
"The government will leave no stone unturned to conduct the election in a clean, fair, fearless, and peaceful manner," Sushila Karki, the interim prime minister, said. "I urge all citizens to exercise their voting rights with confidence and without any fear." The September 2025 violence was the worst since a decade-long civil war ended in a 2006 peace deal that abolished the monarchy and brought Maoist insurgents into government.
Protests were triggered by a brief social media ban, but were fuelled by anger at economic stagnation and an ageing elite seen as out of touch.
Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time. — AFP
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