Govt firm on March 5, 2026, polls: PM

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Dec. 21: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has assured the nation that the government remains firmly committed to holding the House of Representatives elections on the scheduled date in a free and fair environment. 

In her special address marking the completion of 100 days in office on Saturday, Prime Minister Karki said, "Today, I want to make it clear to the country and the world that the elections to be held on March 5, 2026, are not just an agenda, they are the only safe way to bring stability and usher in a new era for Nepal. Any rumours suggesting the elections will be postponed or stopped are completely baseless and misleading."

The present interim government led by Prime Minister Karki was formed on September 12, four days after the Gen-Z movement overthrew the previous government led by UML chairman KP Sharma Oli through violent street demonstrations is completing 100 days today (Saturday). 

Prime Minister Karki reiterated that the government had prioritised good governance and elections as key pillars of its vision, citing the spirit of the Gen Z movement. "In line with the movement, we have made good governance and free, fair elections our focus," she said, calling for national unity across the country. "Who wins or loses in the elections is secondary; what matters is that our democracy and nationalism emerge victorious," she added.

Prime Minister Karki also delivered a special message to the youth, particularly those involved in the Gen Z movement. "Express your anger and dreams on the ballot paper now. Street protests may raise questions, but it is the ballot papers that provide real solutions. The state guarantees the protection of your every vote," she said.

Prime Minister Karki outlined the government's preparedness for the elections, stating that every effort had been made to ensure security and proper coordination. "We have left no stone unturned in terms of security," she said. "The 'Integrated Election Security Plan' has been approved, and the mobilisation of the Nepali Army has been ensured. Most of the 1,342 weapons looted during the protests have been recovered, and additional weapons have been seized by the police. We have also restored 465 damaged police offices to strengthen our security framework," she added.

Prime Minister Karki highlighted the historic step taken to amend the Voters' List Act, ensuring the right to vote for 837,000 new youth, despite the election date already being announced. "Today, more than 18.1 million Nepalis hold the key to changing the fate of our country. The participation of 114 political parties in this process is a testament to how deeply rooted our democracy is," she said.

Reflecting on the tragic events of September 8 and 9, Prime Minister Karki expressed sympathy for the victims. "We have declared the individuals who lost their lives in those tragic incidents as martyrs. 

The process of providing for the livelihood of the wounded warriors is also underway," she said.

The Prime Minister acknowledged the frustration and anger expressed by some sectors of society, particularly the Gen Z youth. "Although the movement created some disruption, the government has taken its underlying message seriously. Now, it is time for us to move forward, hand in hand, towards building a beautiful and stable future," she said.

She also took the opportunity to highlight the government's economic initiatives. "We have made a significant progress in controlling wasteful expenditure and ensuring good financial governance," she said. "In the past 100 days, we have reduced unnecessary state spending by cutting 38 offices and 323 posts. A budget of Rs. 101.9 billion has been reprioritised and directed towards major development projects, and we have implemented an 'Integrated Business Revitalisation Plan' to support struggling businesses," she added.

She also cited significant achievements, including addressing over 50,000 complaints through the 'Hello Government' initiative, ensuring the supply of 200 million litres of Melamchi water daily to Kathmandu, and adding 101 megawatts of electricity to the national transmission line.

Prime Minister Karki reminded the nation that true change takes time and patience. "Anarchy does not bring happiness. Only peace and stability open the door to prosperity. The change we seek is not an achievement that can be accomplished in a day; it is a long and tireless journey," she said.

She called on all Nepalis to view the upcoming election as a national ritual that would pave the way for a new direction in the country's politics. "Let us take the country in a new direction, bound together by the thread of national unity. This election 

will mark the beginning of a new, clean, and golden chapter in Nepali politics," she said.