Nepal’s Parliamentary Election Draws 3,486 Candidates Across 165 Constituencies
Umesh Dhakal
KNA- Canberra
Report;
Kathmandu, Nepal — Nepal’s Election Commission has confirmed that 3,486 candidates have filed nominations to contest the House of Representatives election 2082 (2025) under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) electoral system. The elections will select 165 members of parliament from constituencies across the country.
Nominations were submitted simultaneously on January 20 nationwide. Of the total candidates, 3,089 are men, 396 are women, and one candidate identifies as gender-diverse. The Commission noted that the preliminary candidate list may be subject to minor adjustments following verification and resolution of objections.
Nepal’s House of Representatives election is a cornerstone of the country’s federal parliamentary democracy, established under the 2015 Constitution following a decade-long civil conflict and the abolition of the monarchy. The lower house plays a decisive role in forming governments, and Nepal has experienced frequent coalition changes, contributing to ongoing political instability.
Analysts say the high number of candidates reflects voter dissatisfaction with established parties and a rise in independent and smaller party contenders, driven by concerns over governance, corruption, economic stagnation, and youth unemployment.
Under the election schedule, claims and objections regarding candidate eligibility can be filed on January 21 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The Election Commission will review nominations and complaints until January 22, after which the preliminary list of eligible candidates will be published. Candidates may withdraw nominations on January 23, followed by the publication of the final candidate list and allocation of official election symbols.
The election for the 165 parliamentary seats is widely seen as a critical test of Nepal’s democratic institutions and its ability to deliver political stability and effective governance in the coming years.
Source of data: Election Commission Nepal
