High Enthusiasm, Higher Responsibility

The enthusiastic filing of candidacies for the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5 reflects broad political participation and renewed engagement in the democratic process. This momentum, however, must be accompanied by an uncompromising commitment from the state to ensure a peaceful and violence-free election. Prime Minister Sushila Karki bears the responsibility of preventing the misuse of state machinery in favour of or against any party or candidate, while the Election Commission (EC) must uphold strict neutrality and enforce the election code of conduct without exception. Across most parts of the country, the nomination process concluded peacefully on Tuesday. Incumbent ministers resigned from their posts and entered the electoral race and the participation of young candidates is likely to be the highest in history. These developments add energy and legitimacy to the electoral process. It is also encouraging that political actors who were once sceptical of past movements, as well as those who challenged the dissolution of the HoR in court, have joined the electoral process. Their participation underscores continued faith in democratic mechanisms. At the same time, certain trends raise concerns. Locally elected representatives seeking HoR candidacies despite having time remaining in their tenure and provincial lawmakers resigning merely to contest federal seats, reflect unchecked political ambition that risks contributing to instability. More worrying, however, are incidents of violence during the nomination phase itself—an early warning sign that cannot be ignored.