Nepal sees around 60% turnout in parliamentary election, commission says

KATHMANDU, March 5 (Reuters) – About 60% of eligible voters cast ballots in Nepal’s parliamentary election held across the country on Sunday, the Election Commission said, in a turnout slightly lower than recent national polls.

Election Commission of Nepal said voting took place from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. local time across all 165 constituencies electing members to the House of Representatives. Officials described the process as largely peaceful and orderly.

The commission said detailed district-level data were still being compiled and the final turnout figure could change once all reports are received.

LOWER THAN PREVIOUS POLLS

Preliminary turnout of around 60% compares with about 61% recorded in the 2022 general election, according to official data released at the time. In the 2017 parliamentary election, turnout stood at 67.63%.

Analysts say a modest dip in participation may reflect voter fatigue and frustration with frequent political realignments in recent years. Nepal has seen repeated coalition reshuffles since the abolition of its monarchy in 2008 and the adoption of a new constitution in 2015.

ISOLATED INCIDENTS

Election officials said voting proceeded smoothly in most parts of the country. Minor disputes briefly disrupted polling in Dolakha, Sarlahi and Rautahat districts, but authorities resolved the incidents and voting resumed.

Security personnel were deployed nationwide to oversee the process.

MIXED ELECTORAL SYSTEM

Nepal uses a mixed electoral system combining first-past-the-post and proportional representation.

Under the direct voting system, 65 political parties contested 165 seats. A total of 3,406 candidates ran in that category, including 3,017 men, 388 women and one candidate identifying as other, according to commission data.

Under the proportional representation system, 3,135 candidates — 1,363 men and 1,772 women — competed for 110 seats allocated based on party vote share.

The commission said 10,967 polling locations and 23,112 polling centres were established nationwide. Authorities also set up 143 temporary polling stations to improve access.

Special arrangements were made to prioritise senior citizens, pregnant women and people with disabilities.

WHAT’S NEXT

Vote counting is expected to begin immediately after ballot boxes are transported to designated centres. Preliminary results could start emerging within hours, though final certified results may take several days.

The outcome will determine the composition of Nepal’s lower house and shape negotiations over the formation of the next coalition government.