Editor’s note: A momentous year

The Gen Z uprising in early September brought about a sea-change in national politics.

These are exciting times for the 19 million-strong Nepali electorate. As the country enters 2026, perhaps the most consequential elections since the first Constituent Assembly polls in 2008 are upon us. Competing for people’s votes on March 5 will be established forces such as the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML, the two stalwarts of post-1990 Nepali politics. Arrayed against them, new outfits like the revamped Rastriya Swatantra Party, the Gatisheel Loktantrik Party and the Shram Sanskriti Party.