Interim Government and Upcoming Elections

 

Nepal’s new interim government was formed on September 12, 2025, under the leadership of Sushila Karki, our first female Prime Minister. Within just three days of her appointment, her government began showing signs of a promising future. Rameshwor Prasad Khanal was appointed Finance Minister, Kul Man Ghising was given responsibility for Energy, Water Resources, Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development, and Om Prakash Aryal was appointed Minister for Home Affairs, Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs on September 15. All three of these figures are widely respected for their honesty and dedication, though they had previously been underestimated by the government led by K. P. Sharma Oli.

Prime Minister Karki honored the youths who sacrificed their lives for the country by providing 10 lakhs to the families of the martyrs. However, as this is an interim government, elections are scheduled to take place in six months. The major debate among today’s youth centers on the upcoming elections. For a functioning democracy, we need a stable government in which parliament carries out its duties for a full five-year term, and the Prime Minister forms a Council of Ministers under his or her leadership. The election process of the Prime Minister in Nepal follows the parliamentary election system or party-based election system, which has been in practice since 1990—except during brief authoritarian or caretaker periods.

After recent protests, however, people have begun demanding a change to this system. They want to replace the parliamentary process with a general public election, in which citizens directly elect the Prime Minister rather than voting through political parties. Many protesters, especially the youth, have called for Balen Shah to become Prime Minister through this system. Unfortunately, under the current Constitution of Nepal, such a direct election process does not exist. To introduce it, the constitution would need to be amended and passed by a two-thirds majority in the Federal Parliament. After parliamentary approval, the amendment would then require the President’s promulgation.

But this amendment is currently impossible because the second Federal Parliament of Nepal was officially dissolved on September 12, 2025. With no members in parliament, no constitutional amendment can be made to allow for a general election. Does this mean Balen Shah cannot become Prime Minister? Were the efforts and sacrifices of the people in vain?

We may be in a difficult situation, but this does not mean the fight against corruption has been lost. In the upcoming six months, the election process will remain party-based. If Balen Shah wishes to become Prime Minister, he must form his own political party so that citizens across the nation can vote for him. Only through proper legal and democratic processes can we achieve the dream of a corruption-free nation.

Another pressing issue is voting eligibility. The demand for Balen Shah’s leadership largely came from Generation Z protestors and youths aged 16 to 27. Statistically, Nepal’s age demographic structure looks like this (World Bank – Nepal Population by Age Group):

- 0–14 years: 28.71%
- 15–64 years: 64.93%
- 65+ years: 6.36%

While the majority of Nepal’s population falls between 15 and 64 years, the legal voting age is 18 and above, and citizens must possess a voter ID card. The issue is that many youths below the age of 20–22 still lack voter ID cards. According to the law, “If the election date is already announced, citizens who have not registered before the cutoff cannot obtain a voter card for that election.” This means that much of the population eager to vote for Balen Shah may be unable to participate. Furthermore, many older citizens are hesitant about his leadership, as their values and experiences with Nepal’s political history differ significantly from the rapid political change that younger generations are demanding.

What we now urgently need is an emergency legal directive or ordinance. The government should reopen voter registration to ensure that all eligible citizens can vote for their preferred candidate. Alongside this, awareness campaigns should be carried out to educate the elderly about the importance of political reform and the potential for a corruption-free future.

As the election approaches, scheduled for March 5, 2026, it is vital for every citizen to vote responsibly. We must choose leaders with the knowledge, courage, and strength to bring positive change. By staying socially and politically aware, we can build a beautiful, corruption-free Nepal together.