Nepal Begins Voting in 2026 General Election, 10% Turnout Recorded by 11 AM

Nepal began voting on Thursday its 2026 general election, the first national poll since the massive Gen-Z-led protests last year that forced the resignation of the government and triggered major political changes in the country.

According to early reports from the Election Commission, around 10 percent of voters had cast their ballots by 11 AM.

Polling started at 7 AM across thousands of voting centres nationwide and will continue until 5 PM local time. Authorities expect voter turnout to rise steadily throughout the day as citizens arrive at polling stations.

Nearly 19 million voters are eligible to participate in the election, which will determine the composition of Nepal’s 275-member House of Representatives. Of these, 165 members will be elected through direct voting, while the remaining 110 seats will be filled through proportional representation.

The election comes at a crucial time for Nepal’s democracy following the 2025 youth-driven protests against corruption, unemployment, and political instability. The demonstrations, largely led by young voters, brought unprecedented political pressure and led to calls for reforms and fresh elections. Several prominent political figures are contesting in the polls, including former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa, and independent youth-backed candidate Balendra “Balen” Shah.

The results of the election are expected to play a key role in shaping Nepal’s political future, particularly as young voters seek greater representation and accountability from the country’s leadership.

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