Kathmandu: Ahead of Nepal’s upcoming elections, the Election Commission (EC) has received applications from a diverse set of political aspirants, ranging from former lawmakers and business leaders to diplomats and members of the Gen Z movement that has recently influenced the country’s political landscape.
Among the new entrants is the Gatisheel Loktantrik Party, led by Professor Dinesh Prasain, with Buddha Air Managing Director Birendra Bahadur Basnet listed as one of its key promoters.
In a surprising development, the Netra Bikram Chand-led Nepal Communist Party (NCP), previously banned in 2019 for violent activities and known for boycotting past elections, has also submitted its registration application.
Former Nepali ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Nawaraj Subedi, has applied to register the Janayug Party. Subedi was formerly associated with the CPN (Maoist Centre) and later the Janata Samajbadi Party.
Energy Minister Kul Man Ghising is in the final stages of registering a new party, Ujyalo Nepal (Bright Nepal), named to reflect his popular legacy in ending nationwide load-shedding during his tenure at the Nepal Electricity Authority. Party insiders said other names, including Rastriya Janasewa Party, were previously considered.
Meanwhile, retired teacher Gyanendra Bahadur Tamang, with longstanding ties to the Maoist movement, has filed to register a separate party named Ujyaalo Nepal Party. The EC said it will finalize party names after verifying documents and ensuring no duplication.
The EC has also reported a steady increase in voter registration ahead of the November 16 deadline, with thousands of new voters enrolling daily. The full election schedule is expected to be announced once the registration process concludes.