Scale of competition
Official tallies from the nomination phase indicate that 3,484 candidates have registered to contest the 165 first-past-the-post constituencies across the country. They represent 68 political parties as well as independent candidacies, creating highly competitive fields in many districts. The proportional representation race also features closed lists submitted by a wide range of parties, though the number of list candidates is not directly comparable.
Traditional and new forces
The contest includes long-established parties such as the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre), as well as newer forces that gained ground in the last election cycle. Additional post-Gen-Z groups and alliances are seeking to capture anti-establishment sentiment. In some constituencies, multiple alternative forces are competing against each other as much as against the old parties, potentially splitting the protest vote.
Voter choice and ballot design
For voters, the large number of candidates means more choice but also more complex ballots, especially in urban constituencies. The Election Commission has urged parties to help educate supporters about ballot symbols and the difference between party lists and individual candidates. Voters are encouraged to familiarise themselves with candidate profiles in advance rather than waiting until they reach the polling booth.