Nepal leaders call on voters to ensure successful election Thursday

2026-03-03 - 13:53

KATHMANDU — Nepali politicians have called on people to ensure a successful voting day on Thursday in the nation's first general election since deadly youth-led protests toppled the government last September.In an address to the nation on Monday, Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki urged people to go to polling stations, acknowledging the election is being held after a "complex, sensitive and challenging" time.The protests in Nepal last year revealed the extent of young people’s frustration with corruption and a lack of opportunity in the country, where around a fifth of young adults are unemployed.Nearly 19 million people, including 800,000 first-time voters, will take part in the vote for the House of Representatives, the lower of the two houses of parliament.Balendra Shah, widely known as Balen, is seen as front-runner after emerging as a popular figure during the campaign. He was elected mayor of the capital, Kathmandu, in 2022 and later left