Background reporting on the 2026 vote repeatedly returns to the events of early September 2025, when large numbers of students and young citizens marched against corruption and impunity. Security forces’ use of live ammunition, which killed multiple protesters in a single day, shocked the country and triggered wider unrest. Within days, the government fell, the House of Representatives was dissolved and an interim administration under Sushila Karki was formed with a mandate to oversee new elections.
This history now shapes how many citizens, especially Gen Z voters, view the March 5 poll. For some, the election is a chance to punish parties they hold responsible for both corruption and violent repression. For others, it is a test of whether institutions such as the Election Commission, security agencies and courts can demonstrate independence and professionalism in the face of intense political pressure. Civil society groups are urging young voters to turn out in large numbers while also documenting any abuses or irregularities throughout the campaign and polling process.