Nepal will hold fresh elections on March 5, 2026. The announcement came after a week of violent protests that forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign.
On Friday, September 12, 2025, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved parliament and set the election date. Hours earlier, he appointed Sushila Karki, a former Chief Justice, as the country’s first woman prime minister. She will lead an interim government until the vote.
Deadly Week of Protests
The decision followed the Gen Z-led anti-graft protests that shook the country. Demonstrations erupted after the government imposed a social media ban, which has since been lifted.
The unrest left at least 51 people dead and more than 1,300 injured. Protesters accused leaders of corruption and demanded accountability.
Karki’s appointment came after two days of talks between the president, the army chief Ashok Raj Sigdel, and protest leaders. Her main task will be to restore calm and prepare for elections.
India Reacts
India quickly welcomed the new leadership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Karki in a message on X. He said India supports Nepal’s “peace, progress, and prosperity.”
A Country in Crisis
Nepal has faced political instability since it abolished its monarchy in 2008. Frequent changes in government have slowed progress. At the same time, economic hardship has pushed millions of young Nepalis to seek jobs in the Middle East, South Korea, and Malaysia.
The protests highlighted the frustration of young people, who want better opportunities and less corruption.
Looking Ahead
By Friday evening, life in Nepal showed signs of recovery. Shops reopened, cars returned to the roads, and security forces replaced rifles with batons.
The coming months will test the interim government. Prime Minister Karki must calm tensions, rebuild trust, and ensure that the March 2026 elections are free and fair.
