Nepal Elects 17 New National Assembly Members in Key Upper House Polls

Polls are open across Nepal's seven provinces to elect 17 new members for the National Assembly, with vacancies effective March 4. The Election Commission has completed all preparations for the voting, which will be conducted by provincial assembly members and local government officials. One seat in Koshi Province was already filled unopposed by a Nepali Congress candidate. The vote weight for this election has been adjusted downward following the resignations of several representatives who are contesting upcoming House of Representatives elections.

Key Points: Nepal National Assembly Election: 17 Seats Up for Vote

  • 17 National Assembly seats contested
  • Voting across seven provinces
  • One seat already filled unopposed
  • Elected local representatives casting ballots
  • Vote weight reduced due to resignations
2 min read

Nepal: Polls set to open for 17 new members for the National Assembly

Polls open across Nepal's seven provinces to elect 17 new National Assembly members. Voting by local representatives concludes March 4 vacancies.

"Nepali Congress candidate Sunil Bahadur Thapa was elected without contest. It was unopposed. - Narayan Prasad Bhattarai"

Kathmandu, January 25

Polls are set to start from 9 AM to elect 17 new members for the National Assembly, which will fall vacant from March 4, 2026, according to the Election Commission.

The Commission said all preparations have been completed for the voting, which will take place from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm across all seven provinces.

Though 18 seats in the upper house of the Federal Parliament are set to be vacant, the one post under the Khas Arya category in Koshi Province has already been filled unopposed.

"Nepali Congress candidate Sunil Bahadur Thapa was elected without contest. It was unopposed," Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai told ANI.

Elected representatives from various bodies are set to vote to choose the remaining 17 seats.

The Election Commission has designated the Provincial Election Offices as the polling stations for all seven provinces. As per the Election Commission, polling stations have been set in Biratnagar, Morang (Koshi Province); Mahendra Narayan Nidhi Mithila Cultural Centre in Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City-4, Dhanusha (Madhesh Province); and Bhutan Devi Secondary School in Hetauda Sub-metropolitan City-4, Makawanpur (Bagmati Province).

Similarly, polling stations have been set up at the Provincial Election Office in Pokhara, Kaski (Gandaki Province); the Lumbini Province Employees' Meeting Centre in Ghorahi, Dang; the Provincial Election Office in Birendranagar, Surkhet (Karnali Province); and the Provincial Election Office in Dhangadhi, Kailali (Sudurpaschim Province).

For the National Assembly election, members of the Provincial Assemblies, mayors and deputy mayors, and chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of rural municipalities will be eligible to vote.

The Commission noted that the vote weight assigned to the election has been reduced following the resignations of several elected representatives who are contesting the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Interesting to note the "Khas Arya" category mention. Nepal's internal political structure is quite complex with its own unique representation systems. Wishing them a successful polling day.
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Aman W
The article says vote weight is reduced because reps resigned to contest for House of Representatives. Seems like a bit of a musical chairs situation? Hope it doesn't affect the legitimacy of the National Assembly.
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Sarah B
As someone following South Asian politics, it's positive to see detailed reporting on Nepal's electoral mechanics. The indirect election for the upper house is a unique feature. Hope voter turnout among the local reps is good.
V
Vikram M
Sunil Bahadur Thapa elected unopposed. Sometimes that indicates strong consensus, other times it indicates a lack of competition. Which one is it here? The new members must focus on development, especially cross-border infrastructure with India.
K
Karthik V
Detailed logistics from Janakpur to Dhangadhi. The Election Commission seems well-prepared. This is a good sign for democracy in the neighborhood. We share deep cultural ties with places like Janakpur, so always keen to see stability there.

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