Campaigning formally kicks off across Nepal for March 5 elections

Rameshwor Phuyal, a candidate from the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), walks with supporters to the election office to register his candidacy for the general election to be held on March 5 in Kathmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Niranjan Shrestha)

Political parties in Nepal on Monday officially began campaigning for the March 5 general elections. As restrictions imposed by the election commission on the launch of the election campaign ended on Sunday night, candidates started door-to-door visits, public meetings and rallies. The EC designated Feb 16 to March 2 as days for formal campaign activities, including public meetings, rallies, processions, corner meetings and the use of loudspeakers.All types of campaigning must stop from midnight on March 2, 48 hours before the general election. There are a total of 18,903,689 eligible voters for the election, including 915,119 newly registered ones, compared to the last parliamentary election in 2022.The Lower House of Parliament has 275 lawmakers, of which 165 are elected through the first past the post (FPTP) system or direct voting while 110 are elected through proportionate voting.