The Falgun 21 election refers to the national general election for the House of Representatives in Nepal, scheduled for Falgun 21, 2082 BS (which corresponds to March 5, 2026 AD). This is a parliamentary election that will decide the members of Nepal’s federal lower house and determine who will form the next federal government.
House of Representatives (Pratinidhi Sabha)
Total seats: 275
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165 elected by first-past-the-post (direct constituencies)
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110 elected through proportional representation from party lists
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Majority needed to form government: 138 seats
This election follows the dissolution of the previous parliament and represents a key moment for Nepal’s political system, which uses a mixed electoral system combining direct seats and proportional seats.
Why Is It Important?
This election is significant for several reasons:
Democratic Mandate
After political upheavals including massive protests and changes in government leadership last year, Nepal is returning to the ballot box to elect a full federal legislature. This is key to restoring political stability and democratic legitimacy.
Political Transitions
Nepal appointed an interim government headed by former Chief Justice Sushila Karki to manage the election period and hand over to an elected government once results are out.
Generational Shift & New Faces
The elections are featuring a mix of veteran politicians and emerging leaders, including influential youth figures and independent candidates who are reshaping political narratives.
Public Engagement
To encourage voter turnout, the Election Commission recommended a three-day public holiday covering Falgun 20–22, aiming to make it easier for Nepalis — including those away from their home districts — to vote.
Who’s Participating?
Political Parties
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Over 100 political parties are participating — some independently and some in alliances.
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Parties must submit proportional representation candidate lists, with rules requiring at least 50 % women candidates on these lists.
Major parties include (but are not limited to):
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Nepali Congress
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Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist)
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Nepali Communist Party (led by Pushpa Kamal Dahal)
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Rastriya Swatantra Party
…along with many smaller parties and alliances.
Electoral System of Nepal
Nepal follows a Mixed Electoral System, which means two systems are used at the same time to elect members to the House of Representatives.
As a voter, you cast TWO votes, not one.
Why Two Systems?
Nepal uses two systems to balance:
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Local representation (your area’s voice in parliament)
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Fair representation (so big and small parties get seats based on total votes)
This system is written in Nepal’s constitution and implemented by the Election Commission of Nepal.
The Two Voting Systems Explained
First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) – Direct Election
What is this?
This is the simple voting system most people already understand.
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Nepal has 165 constituencies
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Each constituency elects 1 Member of Parliament (MP)
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The candidate with the highest number of votes wins, even if it’s not 50%
Example:
In your constituency:
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Candidate A | 18,000 |
| Candidate B | 15,500 |
| Candidate C | 6,000 |
Candidate A wins, because they got the most votes.
What YOU do:
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You vote for ONE candidate from your area
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That vote directly helps choose your local MP
Proportional Representation (PR) – Party-Based Election
What is this?
This system ensures parties get seats according to their total votes nationwide.
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110 seats are filled this way
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You do NOT vote for a person
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You vote for a political party
Example:
Nationwide PR vote results:
| Party | % of Votes | Seats (out of 110) |
|---|---|---|
| Party A | 40% | 44 seats |
| Party B | 30% | 33 seats |
| Party C | 20% | 22 seats |
| Others | 10% | 11 seats |
Seats are given proportionally.
Who becomes MP?
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Parties submit a closed list of candidates before the election
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MPs are selected from the top of that list
Voters cannot choose names in PR — only the party.