Kathmandu, Nepal, November 23, 2025: The official decision by the Nepali Congress (NC), the country's oldest and largest democratic party, to participate in the general elections scheduled for March 5, 2026, is widely believed to have compelled the CPN (UML) to reconsider its earlier decision to boycott the polls. The NC’s move solidifies the legitimacy of the upcoming election, which was called following a major political crisis.
The elections were necessitated after the House of Representatives (HoR) was dissolved on September 12, 2025, upon the recommendation of the newly appointed Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. This political upheaval, which saw the resignation of then-Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, was a direct result of the large-scale 2025 Gen-Z protests.
The CPN (UML), which was the main opposition after the HoR dissolution, had initially refused to participate in the fresh polls, demanding the restoration of the dissolved Parliament. The party's stance threatened to derail the electoral process, which is intended to restore full constitutional governance.
Clearing the doubts that the Nepali Congress would join the UML's demand to restore the HoR, the party's recently concluded Central Committee meeting formally decided to contest the elections. The NC’s decision is seen as a major factor not only compelling the CPN (UML) to rethink its boycott stance but also helping the interim government, led by Sushila Karki, create a political environment conducive to successfully holding the scheduled elections.
Regarding its participation, the Nepali Congress emphasized the democratic imperative. The party stated, "We firmly believe that only through elections can we safeguard the Constitution, institutionalize the voices for change raised during the Gen-Z movement, and move the country forward."
The Nepali Congress's participation is viewed as a critical step toward ensuring a multi-party electoral contest and validating the constitutional path forward after a period of intense crisis.
