The country has completed the election task with the Election Commission submitting the report of the results of the House of Representatives election to President Ram Chandra Poudel on Thursday. Despite the arguments of some that the election could not be held on time and the declarations of some groups that the election would not be held, the voting was concluded peacefully on 21 Falgun. The Commission submitted the report to the President after the final results of both the direct and proportional systems were announced. 

The House of Representatives was dissolved on 27 Bhadra on the recommendation of the new government formed after the then government was ousted by the Gen-G movement. Although the constitution does not provide for appointing a prime minister from outside the parliament, President Poudel had appointed former Chief Justice Sushila Karki as the prime minister using his constitutional authority as per the principle of necessity. Poudel had called on everyone to make use of the election announcement, calling it an opportunity "obtained through a great trick." 

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari says that the Commission was able to successfully hold the election due to the President's loyalty to the election, the government's goodwill and cooperation, the preparation of the Commission, the proactivity of the security agencies, the responsibility of political parties, and the participation of the general public. The election announcement was immediately welcomed by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the then Maoists, but the UML did not accept the election. There were also two factions within the Congress. A case was filed in the Supreme Court against the decision to form a new government and dissolve the House of Representatives. On 24 Bhadra, various police offices were attacked and weapons were looted. Prisoners and detainees escaped from prisons and detention centers. Therefore, there was also a fear of insecurity. While the youth involved in the movement were enthusiastic, the old political parties were on the defensive. There was a lack of communication between the government and political parties. 

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari recalls that there were many challenges at that time because the election was announced suddenly after the uprising. 'There was no alternative to elections to save the constitution and the democratic system. Imagine what would have happened if the election had not been held,' he says, 'That is why the Commission worked day and night to make the election successful and bring the country out of this difficult situation. The Commission was able to successfully fulfill its responsibility due to everyone's support and cooperation.' 

The main challenge before the government and the Commission was to lead all political parties in the elections and to tighten the security system that had deteriorated after the Gen-G rebellion. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari said that the Commission was able to successfully conduct the elections due to the President's loyalty to the election, the government's goodwill and cooperation, the Commission's preparations, the proactivity of the security agencies, the responsibility of the political parties, and the participation of the general public. 

The government started planned work to ensure security for the general public by taking control of prisoners who had escaped from prisons and weapons seized from security personnel. On the other hand, the President and the Election Commission had taken the initiative to increase dialogue with political parties. President Poudel played a guardian role to break the lack of dialogue with political parties. On 24 Asoh, he tried to create an election environment with party representatives at Sheetal Niwas in the presence of the Prime Minister and ministers. 

Immediately on 30 Asoh, the Election Commission held dialogue with the parties. It was the first occasion after more than a month of the Gen-G movement, where the parties expressed their feelings and opinions. Kawa Chief Commissioner Bhandari said, ‘That meeting with the parties was fruitful. They got the opportunity to raise the issues that were being discussed. The Commission also succeeded in sending a message that the election would be held and that the Commission was working hard in its preparations.’ 

President Poudel also held separate discussions with the Gen-G representatives participating in the movement. He played an important role in creating an electoral environment by discussing with the top leadership of the Congress, UML and the then Maoists. After the President opened the way for dialogue, top leaders of the parties also reached Baluwatar at the invitation of the Prime Minister. 

The country's main administrative center, Singha Durbar, Parliament House, President's House, Supreme Court, media houses and houses of leaders were vandalized and set on fire. The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned and had to leave Baluwatar by helicopter with the help of the army. The Prime Minister’s Press Advisor Ram Rawal says that the President has an important role in guiding political parties that are skeptical about the election towards the election. ‘The government was formed with the aim of holding the election. The Prime Minister was determined to hold the election. But that alone was not enough to hold the election. "If the President, the Election Commission or the security agencies had gained a foothold, the elections would not have been held," he told Kantipur. "The elections were held peacefully due to the collective efforts of everyone."

Baluwatar and Sheetal Niwas were under pressure from many sides to postpone the elections announced on 21 Falgun. "Some people would say, 'Let's postpone the elections,' while others would say, 'We can't hold the elections.' They also knew that the elections could not be held," Rawal said. "Such pressure from Baluwatar would also reach Sheetal Niwas. But all the efforts of the President and the Prime Minister were aimed at the elections. The leadership of the Election Commission also showed courage and worked efficiently." He mentioned that the elections were peaceful because all the security agencies implemented an integrated security plan in a coordinated manner.

The then Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak resigned that night after 19 youths were killed in police firing during the Gen-G movement on 23 Bhadra. The anger that erupted the next day, on 24 Bhadra, took the form of violence. The country's main administrative center, Singha Durbar, Parliament House, President's House, Supreme Court, media houses, and houses of leaders were vandalized and set on fire. The then Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resigned and had to leave Baluwatar by helicopter with the help of the army. 

Amidst uncertainty and apprehension about what would happen next, the army took 'command' of security management. As demanded by the Gen-G representatives, former Chief Justice Sushila Karki became the Prime Minister and on her recommendation, the House of Representatives was dissolved. Although the constitution does not provide for appointing a Prime Minister from outside the parliament, President Poudel exercised his inherent constitutional authority according to the principle of necessity. The country has recovered from the chaotic situation and is in a position to hand over the reins of the country to a government elected by the people within six months. 

Former Chief Election Commissioner Bhojraj Pokharel says the success of the election has sent a message to the international community that Nepal can easily manage any difficult situation on its own within a short time. ‘The situation that broke out after the movement has not been handled anywhere else on the same date in such a short time. Nepal has succeeded in giving a big message to the world community,’ he told Kantipur. ‘The country has conducted the election peacefully without any violence, without any cancellation of voting at any polling station. This has shown that electoral democracy has been institutionalized and has become more mature in Nepal.’ He appreciates the ‘pro-active’ role played by the government and the Election Commission in making the election successful. 

In South Asia, youth uprisings in Sri Lanka in 2022 and Bangladesh in 2024 forced the elected government to be displaced. Then a similar incident happened in Nepal in 2025. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and his family had been in power in Sri Lanka for a long time. The Rajapaksa family was accused of corruption and misuse of taxes collected from the people. The youth took to the streets against this. President Gotabaya had to flee the country after protesters occupied the presidential palace. Two years after the movement, it was only in 2024 that elected representatives took power. 

In Bangladesh, students took to the streets in July 2024. Angry protesters occupied the prime minister's residence. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who had been in power for 15 consecutive years, had to resign and leave the country. Elections were held there in January after student protests, uprisings, and 18 months of instability. The party led by Hasina, the Awami League, was barred from participating in the elections. 

There was also a split within the Congress. UML and Congress had filed a writ in the Supreme Court against the dissolution of the House of Representatives. But the Supreme Court was not ready to pronounce its decision on it. Former Chief Commissioner Pokharel says Nepal's elections are exemplary. 'Even parties that were displaced from power due to the movement participated in the elections. All political parties participated in the elections. That has confirmed the parties' deep commitment to the elections,' he says. 'From the beginning, there was doubt whether the parties would participate in the elections or not, but all the parties participated in the elections. This has sent a good message inside and outside the country. The parties deserve thanks.’ 

Pokharel says that the Nepali citizens approved the Gen-G movement and the demands of the movement through voting. He said that the election results were achieved on the strength of the Gen-G movement and the issue of that movement. ‘The election has institutionalized the Gen-G movement,’ he said, ‘The government that is being formed on the strength of that movement cannot be forgotten.’

The UML, which was displaced from power due to the Gen-G movement, had not decided to go to the election until a few days before submitting the closed list of proportional candidates. It had been saying that the election would not be held on the scheduled date. There was also a split within the Congress. UML and Congress had filed a writ in the Supreme Court against the dissolution of the House of Representatives. But the Supreme Court was not ready to pronounce its decision on it.

Gen-G activists were also divided over the election. They did not have their own political party. Some Gen-G leaders were expressing that the election could not be held, and even threatened to disrupt it if it was held in this situation. Durga Prasai, who has been demanding the restoration of the Hindu nation and the monarchy, had said that the election would not be allowed. In the same vein, former King Gyanendra Shah had also issued a message on Democracy Day on 7 Falgun that the election should be held only after establishing an 'all-party national consensus', making the election opponents laugh.

The Prime Minister's Press Advisor Rawal says that the success was achieved by carefully analyzing every political and security challenge, formulating a coordinated security plan, and its successful implementation. He says that the leadership role of Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal has contributed greatly to this.

Former Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav says that the Nepali people further institutionalized democracy by voting on 21 Falgun. 'The election was held as a result of the Gen-G movement. Initially, there was confusion and confusion. There was an atmosphere of fear,' he says, 'The election was successful and peaceful. This has been good for the country and democracy.’ He said that the government’s top-notch security arrangements and the Election Commission and the acting chief commissioner leading it are commendable.

According to an Election Commission official, only the then Maoists (now CPN) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) were in favor of holding the election from the beginning. The Nepali Communist Party was formed by integrating two dozen parties and groups, including the Maoists and the Unified Socialists, with the aim of utilizing the election.

‘NCP coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal was clear that elections should be held. Even if elections were held, there were some problems in the RSS as party president Ravi Lamichhane was in prison,’ the commission official said. ‘The UML and Congress leadership were pressuring to postpone the election. After RSS president Lamichhane was released from prison in the first week of Poush, the political atmosphere for the election increased.’

प्रधानमन्त्रीदेखि मन्त्री तथा जेन–जी युवालाई अहिले समयको चापमा विदेशमा मतदान गर्न सकिँदैन भन्ने सम्झाउन आयोगलाई मुस्किल परेको थियो । पुराना राजनीतिक दलहरू त्यसका लागि तयार पनि थिएनन् । An internal dispute had flared up in the Congress over the special general convention. Due to the dispute, both parties were in favor of postponing the election to Baisakh. यही बीचमा कांग्रेसको विशेष महाधिवेशन भयो । प्रत्यक्षतर्फको उम्मेदवारी मनोनयनको पूर्वसन्ध्यामा मात्र कांग्रेसको आधिकारिकता विवाद आयोगमा पुग्यो । कांग्रेसको विवादलाई यथास्थितिमा राखेर चुनावमा जान सकिने स्थिति थिएन । ‘कांग्रेस बाहिर रहनुपर्ने स्थितिमा देश चुनाव नहुने दिशामा जान्थ्यो,’ आयोगका एक सहसचिव भन्छन्, ‘कावा प्रमुख आयुक्तको साहस र तत्काल निर्णय दिने क्षमताले त्यहाँ काम गर्‍यो । आयोगले एउटा निर्णय दिनुपर्थ्यो, समय लिन सक्ने स्थिति पनि थिएन । विशेष महाधिवेशनबाट निर्वाचित गगन थापाको समितिलाई आधिकारिकता प्रदान गर्दै विवाद टुंग्यायो ।’ 

चुनावलाई लिएर राजनीतिक विषय तथा सुरक्षा अवस्थाबाहेक मौसमको सम्भावित प्रतिकूलता, विदेशमा रहेका नेपाली नागरिकलाई मतदानको अधिकार दिएर जानुपर्ने, तराईमा होलीको भोलिपल्टै मतदान गर्नुपर्ने जस्ता विषय पनि चुनौती मानिएका थिए । विदेशमा रहेका मतदातालाई मतदानको अधिकार दिएर मात्रै यस पटकको चुनाव गर्नुपर्ने जेन–जी युवाको दबाब तथा त्यसमा सरकारको पनि साथले आयोग अप्ठ्यारो स्थितिमा पुगेको थियो । त्यसका लागि कुनै कानुनी व्यवस्था नै छैन । कानुनमा प्रबन्ध गरेर विश्वभरि जहाँ–जहाँ नेपाली छन्, उनीहरूको नाम मतदाता नामावलीमा समावेश गरेर कुनै विश्वासिलो चुनावी प्रविधि तयार पारेर २१ फागुनमा चुनाव गराउन असम्भवप्रायः थियो ।

प्रधानमन्त्रीदेखि मन्त्री तथा जेन–जी युवालाई अहिले समयको चापमा विदेशमा मतदान गर्न सकिँदैन भन्ने सम्झाउन आयोगलाई मुस्किल परेको थियो । पुराना राजनीतिक दलहरू त्यसका लागि तयार पनि थिएनन् । ‘जेन–जीको एउटा, पुराना दलको अर्कै धारणा, त्यसमाथि समयको चाप, यी सबैलाई व्यवस्थापन गर्न नसकिएको भए चुनावलाई गाह्रो हुन्थ्यो,’ कावा प्रमुख आयुक्त भण्डारी भन्छन् ‘त्यसमाथि कांग्रेसको विवाद ठूलो चुनौती भएर आइदियो । सबैको सहयोगमा सबैलाई पार लगाउँदै शान्तिपूर्ण, स्वतन्त्र र निष्पक्ष चुनाव भयो । यसमा सन्तुष्ट छु ।’

आयोग आफैं अपूर्ण छ । ५ सदस्यीय आयोगमा ३ जना मात्रै छन् । त्यसमाथि प्रमुख आयुक्तको पद नै रिक्त रहेका बेला कार्यवाहक प्रमुख निर्वाचन आयुक्तले आमनिर्वाचन गराएको नेपालमा यो पहिलो पटक हो । सफलतापूर्वक चुनाव गराएकामा देशभित्र र बाहिरबाट कावा प्रमुख आयुक्त भण्डारीलाई बधाई आइरहेको छ । चुनावमा जित्ने र हार्ने दुवैले निर्वाचन राम्रो भएकामा बधाई दिइरहेको भण्डारीले सुनाए ।

‘यो नियमित आवधिक निर्वाचन थिएन । जेन–जी विद्रोहपछि अकस्मात् निर्वाचन घोषणा भएको थियो । तोकिएको अवधिमा स्वच्छ, स्वतन्त्र, भयमुक्त एवं निष्पक्ष निर्वाचन सम्पन्न गराउनु आयोगको संवैधानिक दायित्व थियो,’ भण्डारीले कान्तिपुरसँग भने, ‘निकै कसिलो कार्यतालिका बनाएर काम गर्‍यौं । कार्यतालिका हेरफेरका लागि आएका कुनै पनि आग्रह वा दबाबलाई सुनेनौं । २१ फागुनलाई अर्जुनदृष्टि राखेर काम गर्‍यौं । र, सबैको साथ सहयोगका कारण आयोगले आफ्नो जिम्मेवारी सफलतापूर्वक पूरा गर्न सक्यो ।’

निर्वाचनका बेला शून्य राजनीतिक हिंसा, पुनः मतदान गर्नुपर्ने अवस्था नआउनु, दल एवं उम्मेदवारबीच मित्रवत् प्रतिस्पर्धा हुनुले नेपालमा लोकतान्त्रिक प्रणाली थप मजबुत बनाएको भण्डारीको विश्लेषण छ । मतमा पहिलो निर्वाचित हुने (प्रत्यक्ष) प्रणालीतर्फ ६१ चुनाव चिह्नमा ६५ तथा समानुपातिक निर्वाचन प्रणालीतर्फ ५७ चिह्नमा ६३ राजनीतिक दल प्रतिस्पर्धामा सहभागी थिए । प्रत्यक्षतर्फ १ सय ६५ सिटका लागि ३ हजार ४ सय ६ र समानुपातिकतर्फ १ सय १० सिटका लागि ३ हजार १ सय ३५ उम्मेदवार थिए । निर्वाचनमा राजनीतिक दलहरूको उत्साहजनक सहभागिता देखिएको थियो । कुल १ करोड ८९ लाख ३ हजार ६ सय ८९ मतदातामध्ये प्रत्यक्षतर्फ ५९.०८ र समानुपातिकतर्फ ५९.६७ प्रतिशतले मतदानमा भाग लिए ।