Political Activities Intensify as House of Representatives Election Nears

With only 81 days remaining until the election of the House of Representatives, the country is gradually moving into a full-fledged election mode. The Election Commission has accelerated preparations for the polls, while the government and political parties have also intensified their respective election-related activities.

The Election Commission has already completed the process of registering political parties for both the first-past-the-post and proportional representation systems. It has also begun determining the proportional representation quotas based on population, allocating percentages for Dalits, Indigenous Nationalities, Khas Arya, Madhesi, Tharu, and Muslim communities. The election, scheduled for Falgun 21, is being prepared under a draft Election Code of Conduct, for which the Commission is currently collecting feedback.

The government has assured full facilitation for the election process. To ensure a free, fair, and fear-free election environment, the Ministry of Home Affairs has completed necessary security preparations. On the government’s recommendation, President Ram Chandra Paudel has approved the mobilization of the Nepal Army for election security, according to Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal.

Political parties across the spectrum have stepped up their election-focused activities. The Nepali Congress has already begun nationwide candidate selection, forwarding names to the central level. The party is selecting candidates under both the direct and proportional systems and has also started choosing candidates for the National Assembly. Compared to other parties, the Nepali Congress appears to be ahead in terms of candidate selection.

Meanwhile, the 11th General Convention of the CPN-UML began on Saturday. Speaking at the inaugural session, party chair KP Sharma Oli stated that the UML has the capacity to secure a majority if elections are held without pressure or political vendetta. He questioned claims that the UML is avoiding elections and emphasized the need for the government to ensure a neutral and independent election environment. The UML has already completed party registration and other required procedures within the timeline set by the Election Commission.

Similarly, the Nepal Communist Party (NCP)—formed through the unification of various communist groups—has intensified its election campaign nationwide under the banner of “Message Assemblies.” The party has already organized such assemblies in Dhangadhi, Dang, Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Janakpur, and recently held a mass gathering in Birendranagar, Surkhet. The NCP is preparing to hold another major message assembly in Kathmandu on Poush 5. Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ reiterated that elections must be held on the scheduled date and stated that the party is fully mobilized for that purpose.

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has also moved forward with preparations, including drafting its election manifesto and initiating the candidate selection process. The party has opened applications for proportional representation candidates and is conducting election-focused activities through meetings and assemblies.

According to the Election Commission, 100 political parties will participate in the election under the proportional representation system. These parties have already been registered and provided with election symbols. However, due to some parties applying to contest under a single common symbol, the total number of approved election symbols has been fixed at 93. Under the first-past-the-post system, 114 political parties will be contesting the election.

As the election date draws closer, political activities across the country are expected to intensify further, signaling Nepal’s steady march toward the upcoming parliamentary elections.