Constitutional requirements
Nepal’s constitution and electoral laws require parties to ensure proportional representation of various historically marginalised groups on their closed lists. This includes minimum thresholds for women as well as representation of Dalits, indigenous nationalities, Madhesis, Tharus, Muslims, and other backward communities. The Election Commission is mandated to review lists and can ask parties to revise them if they do not meet legal criteria.
Civil society pressure
Civil society organisations, women’s networks, and rights groups have begun analysing the submitted lists and issuing public scorecards. Initial reactions suggest that while many parties have formally complied with numeric requirements, questions remain about whether those placed high enough on the lists to be elected come from genuinely marginalised backgrounds. Critics also point to the dominance of party loyalists and relatives of senior leaders.
Voter perception
How parties handle inclusion in the proportional system could significantly shape voter perceptions of their commitment to reform. Youth and urban voters, in particular, are closely watching whether talk of renewal is matched by diverse leadership. If parties are seen to treat inclusion as a box-ticking exercise, they may face backlash at the ballot box, especially in constituencies where new forces are offering more representative candidate slates.