Jhapa–5 records highest number of candidacies, Jhapa–1 the lowest

By Bishnu Prasad Pokharel, Damak, Jan 21: Jhapa Constituency-5 has received the highest number of candidacies, while Constituency-1 has the lowest nominations for the House of Representatives member election scheduled for March 5, 2026.

The constituency, which has drawn nationwide attention, has seen the maximum number of nominations registered in line with high-profile nominations from the constituency. 

According to the Office of the Returning Officer in Damak, a total of 25 candidates filed their nominations on Tuesday, including CPN-UML Chairperson and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and former Mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City, Balendra Shah (Balen).

According to the Chief Election Officer’s Office in Jhapa, a total of 90 candidates, including 17 independent candidates, have registered their nominations across the district’s five constituencies. Due to the high-profile candidacies of Oli and Balen, nominations in other constituencies have received comparatively less attention.

Jhapa Constituency-1 has the least number of nominations, with 15 candidates filing their candidacies. Out of the total 90 candidates, 15 are women. As of Tuesday evening, 18 candidates were nominated in Constituency - 2, 17 in Constituency-3, and 16 in Constituency-4.