On December 8, 2025, Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushila Karki found herself at the center of a pivotal meeting, one that may signal the beginning of a new chapter for the Himalayan nation. In her office in Kathmandu, Karki sat down with the Citizen Protection Campaign team, a group led by medical professional and activist Durga Prasain. As the country stands on the threshold of its first national elections since a mass uprising toppled the previous government, the stakes could hardly be higher.
The meeting was anything but routine. Alongside Prime Minister Karki were Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, Chief Advisor Ajaya Bhadra Khanal, Public Relations Advisor Govinda Narayan Timilsina, and Chief Secretary Sumanraj Aryal. The session was facilitated by lawyers Binod Mani Bhattarai and Lava Neupane, according to the Prime Minister's private secretariat. The presence of such high-ranking officials underscored the gravity of the moment—and the urgency of the issues at hand.
At the heart of the discussion was the government's ongoing battle against corruption and irregularities, a fight that has taken on new meaning in the wake of the Gen-Z Uprising. Prime Minister Karki was candid about the challenges ahead. She acknowledged that many of Prasain’s demands were strikingly similar to those voiced by the young protesters who took to Nepal’s streets in September, demanding change. "The government’s responsibility is to address these issues," she stressed, according to the official statement. But Karki was also pragmatic, cautioning that any decision about a debt waiver—a major demand from activists—would have to be weighed against the State’s ability to sustain such measures.
There was, however, a glimmer of consensus. All sides agreed to keep the conversation going, with a commitment to revisit Prasain’s demands in the near future. As a gesture of goodwill, Prasain presented Karki with an idol of Goddess Bhagwati Durga, a symbol of strength and protection. The exchange was more than ceremonial; it was a reminder of the deep cultural and spiritual threads that run through Nepal’s political fabric.
After the meeting, Prasain spoke to reporters. He revealed that he had formally called for a referendum on Nepal’s current forms of governance, advocating for an all-party approach to such a monumental decision. Perhaps most notably, he said Karki had assured him that the government would make a decision on the referendum by December 17. For activists and ordinary citizens alike, that date now carries special significance.
Just a day later, on December 9, Nepal’s Election Commission announced that 114 political parties—including a wave of new entrants—had been approved to contest the upcoming elections. According to Commission spokesman Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, the polls are scheduled for March 5, 2026, and the machinery of democracy is already in motion. "About 19 million eligible voters have registered their names," Bhattarai told AFP, adding, "We assure everyone that the election will take place in the given time." The Commission has pledged to ensure a "free, impartial and peaceful environment" for the vote, an assurance that will be tested in the months ahead.
Nearly a fifth of the approved parties are new, with several registered by young activists who played leading roles in the anti-corruption protests that rocked Nepal on September 8 and 9. Those demonstrations were initially sparked by a brief government ban on social media, but they quickly grew into a nationwide outpouring of anger over economic hardship and entrenched corruption. The World Bank’s latest figures paint a stark picture: 82 percent of Nepal’s workforce is employed informally, and the country’s GDP per capita stood at just $1,447 in 2024. For millions of Nepalis, these are not just statistics—they’re daily realities.
The Gen-Z Uprising, as it’s come to be known, was spearheaded by protesters under the age of 28. Their movement spread like wildfire, with parliament and government offices set ablaze and the government ultimately collapsing under the pressure. The toll was devastating: at least 73 people lost their lives during the violence, according to official reports. The events of September left an indelible mark on Nepal’s collective memory, and their echoes can still be heard in today’s political debates.
The upcoming election is, in many ways, a test of whether Nepal’s leaders can restore faith in the political process. Public distrust of established parties runs deep, and the influx of new political groups—many born out of the protest movement—reflects a hunger for change. Yet the challenges are formidable. As the Election Commission itself noted, Nepal’s political future remains uncertain, and the credibility of the election will depend on whether voters believe their voices will truly be heard.
Prime Minister Karki’s government faces a delicate balancing act. On one hand, there’s mounting pressure to deliver on promises to root out corruption and address economic grievances. On the other, the realities of governance—especially in a country with limited resources—require careful calibration. Karki’s insistence that debt waivers must be evaluated in light of the State’s capacity is a case in point. It’s a message that may not satisfy all activists, but it reflects the tightrope walk facing any government in times of upheaval.
For Durga Prasain and the Citizen Protection Campaign, the fight is far from over. Their call for a referendum on the country’s governance structures is bold, and it taps into a broader debate about the future direction of Nepalese democracy. Whether the government will follow through on its promise to decide on the referendum by December 17 remains to be seen, but the clock is ticking.
Meanwhile, the Election Commission’s work continues apace. With 19 million voters set to cast their ballots in March, the logistical and security challenges are immense. The memory of September’s violence lingers, and officials are acutely aware of the need to maintain order while respecting the democratic aspirations of the people.
As Nepal prepares for an election that could reshape its political landscape, there’s a palpable sense of anticipation—and anxiety. The wounds of the recent past are still raw, but so too is the hope for a more just and accountable system. For Prime Minister Karki, the Citizen Protection Campaign, and the millions of Nepalis watching from afar, the next few months will be decisive. What happens in Kathmandu’s corridors of power and at polling stations across the country will determine not just who governs, but how Nepal defines itself in the years to come.
In a country where history often turns on unexpected events, all eyes are now on the promises made—and the promises kept.