By Purna Bahadur Pokhrel
As Nepal approaches the House of Representatives (HoR) election on March 5, 2026 (Phagun 21, 2082 BS), the nation finds itself in a state of deep contrast. While the physical machinery of democracy—the printing presses, the security drills, and the administrative offices—is operating at full throttle, the digital and psychological landscape is being flooded with a sophisticated campaign of "Goebbels-style" disinformation. These narratives, designed to stall momentum and sow doubt, require a critical and constructive examination against the hard facts provided by Nepal’s constitutional and judicial bodies to ensure the upcoming polls remain untainted by manufactured panic.
Logistics vs. the Narrative of Delay
The primary friction point lies between the logistical reality of the Election Commission (EC) and the unfounded narrative of delay. Despite whispers from "invisible forces" suggesting a last-minute postponement, the EC has already confirmed the completion of over 30 million ballot papers, with 28.3 million for the proportional system alone already finalized. Election offices have been established across all 77 districts under judicial oversight to maintain transparency. While social media platforms like TikTok and Meta are being used to amplify rumors of a "political crisis," the ground reality tells a different story: the mobilization of nearly 240,000 security personnel from the Army, Police, and APF into a robust three-ring security plan proves that the state is not merely planning for an election but is actively committed to defending its execution.
Legal Procedures and Judicial Certainty
Furthermore, disinformation peddlers have attempted to weaponize ongoing litigation in the Supreme Court, specifically citing the House dissolution case and the Nepali Congress leadership dispute as insurmountable legal "dead ends." However, a constructive look at legal procedures deconstructs this myth. On January 19, the Supreme Court signaled its stance by refusing to grant an interim order to halt the election process, pointedly questioning whether an internal party dispute should be allowed to derail a national constitutional mandate. Given the strict legal timelines for responses and the court's current schedule, the statistical probability of a verdict arriving in time to legally void current preparations are almost non-existent.
Debunking the "Economic Collapse" Ploy
Parallel to legal rumors is the "economic collapse" ploy, a classic propaganda tactic used to justify instability. Some groups continue to manufacture a sense of impending financial doom despite data from the Nepal Rastra Bank showing foreign reserves at a record $22.47 billion as of mid-January 2026 and remittances surging by over 32%. Systematically spreading "economic gloom" in the face of such strength is a calculated attempt at economic sabotage intended to manipulate public psychology and the stock market. In this context, the "Big Lie" only gains traction if it is allowed to exist in a vacuum.
The Path to Informed Participation
Ultimately, a constructive defense of democracy requires a shift from anxiety to informed participation. This necessitates a heightened level of media integrity, where outlets debunk "Goebbelsian" repetition rather than merely repeating claims. Civil society must remain vigilant against the "Illusory Truth Effect," and the Election Commission must continue its deployment of digital tools to monitor deepfakes and fake accounts. As the data suggests, Nepal is on a stable path toward March 5; the only true threat is the potential for the public to be exhausted by manufactured doubt. By prioritizing verified facts over viral rumors, the electorate can ensure that these forces of instability remain irrelevant.
