Nepal Elections 2026 Voting Live Updates: Nepal is voting today in a general election, the first after Gen Z protests last year against corruption led to the deaths of 77 people and forced the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led government to resign.
Nearly 19 million of Nepal's 30 million people are eligible to vote to pick a 275-member legislature, of which 165 candidates are directly elected and 110 selected via proportional representation. About one million of these voters - most of them youth - were added after last September's protests.
In the race are the old guards like KP Sharma Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML), Sher Bahadur Deuba's Nepali Congress, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal's CPN (Maoist Centre), who have been at the helm of power for about the last decade.
But most analysts say the 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is at the forefront.
Here Are Live Updates On Nepal Elections 2026 Voting:
"Hope Nepal Will Get New Leaders": Woman Voter
Nirmala Bhandari, a 50-year-old housewife, said, "Today feels like a day of celebration."
"I am hopeful that the country will get new leaders and that we will build a better nation," she said after casting her vote in Bhaktapur, outside the capital.
Nepal Elections: Balendra 'Balen' Shah Casts Vote
Former mayor and rapper Balendra 'Balen' Shah casts his vote at a polling centre.
#WATCH | Kathmandu, Nepal: Former mayor and rapper Balendra 'Balen' Shah casts his vote at the Annapurna Vinayak School polling centre for Nepal's 2026 general election. pic.twitter.com/2NpCqogpMv
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026
Nepal Votes Today Live: Visuals Of Voting
Visuals from the Dhapasi polling centre in Kathmandu.
#WATCH | Nepal: Voting underway for Nepal's 2026 general election.
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026
Visuals from the Dhapasi polling centre in Kathmandu. pic.twitter.com/QOM3LBHTma
“I Am Here To Vote To Bring New Changes": Nepal Voter
“I am here to vote, hoping to bring new changes in Nepal, that was what all of are seeking and that was what all the Gen Z revolt was about," Hari Sharan Giri, a 70-year-old painter, said after voting.
(Photo credits: AFP)
'Huge Excitement Among Voters, Expect Turnout Of 65%': Official
"There is huge excitement about this election among the people, and we anticipate the voter turnout to be at least 65 percent," said Nepal's acting chief election commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari.
Nepal's Gen-Z Protests Took Their Loved Ones. Now They Hope For Change
On the afternoon of September 8 last year, Rashik Khatiwada stood near Nepal's parliament building, surrounded by hundreds of others rallying against corruption and unemployment, holding up a piece of paper that read: "F*** THE SYSTEM!". Within two hours, the 23-year-old student had been shot dead. He was among the 77 people killed in two days of protests that later forced the resignation of then PM KP Sharma Oli and shook up Nepal's political system, setting the stage for Thursday's general election.
"My Duty Is Completed": Nepal's Interim PM Sushila Karki After Voting
"My duty is completed," Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki said after casting her vote for the country's 2026 general election.
#WATCH | Kathmandu, Nepal | "My duty is completed..." says Nepal's interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki after casting her vote for the country's 2026 general election https://t.co/Apfsx7RKFP pic.twitter.com/RDNVP4vZyR
— ANI (@ANI) March 5, 2026
Nepal Elections 2026 Voting Live: Pics Show People Voting
Long queues were seen outside polling stations in Nepal.
(Photo credits: Reuters)
2026 Nepal Elections Live Updates: How Gen Z Protests Spiralled
The Gen Z protests against corruption and poor governance in Nepal were triggered by a social media ban. It then snowballed into a popular revolt against the Oli government.
Dozens were killed and hundreds injured when protesters attacked government buildings and police opened fire on them.
Nepal Elections 2026: How Country Votes And How Ballots Are Counted
Nepal uses a mixed electoral system, which means voters cast two separate ballots on election day.
2026 Nepal Elections: KP Sharma Oli vs Balendra Shah In Jhapa
KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist leader, is being challenged in his home constituency by Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician who is a former Kathmandu mayor.
The Jhapa-5 constituency has around 1,63,000 voters will determine whether Oli secures his seat or whether Shah enters parliament.
Shah has cast himself as a symbol of youth-driven political change, encouraging voters to "ring the bell" of change, in reference to the party symbol.
Elections In Nepal Will Replace Sushila Karki's Interim Government
The election will replace the interim government of Sushila Karki that has been leading the Himalayan country.
"Voting is not just about sending someone to victory. It's a decision you make about your future and that of your children," Karki, who took over after Oli, said in a public broadcast this week.
Nepal Elections 2026 Live Updates: Voting Begins
Polling has opened in Nepal's general elections. Voting will continue till 5:00 pm (4:45 pm IST).
2026 Nepal Elections: KP Sharma Oli, Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Balendra Shah Among Key Candidates
In the race are the old guards like KP Sharma Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML), Sher Bahadur Deuba's Nepali Congress, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal's CPN (Maoist Centre), who have been at the helm of power for about the last decade. But most analysts say the 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is at the forefront.
Nepal Election Voting Live: Nearly 19 Million Eligible To Vote
Nearly 19 million of Nepal's 30 million people are eligible to vote to pick a 275-member legislature, of which 165 candidates are directly elected and 110 selected via proportional representation. About one million of these voters - most of them youth - were added after last September's protests.
Nepal Elections 2026 Voting Live Updates: Nepal Votes Today In First Polls After Gen Z Protests
Nepal is voting today in a general election, the first after Gen Z protests last year against corruption led to the deaths of 77 people and forced the Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli-led government to resign.
