New election calendar
According to recent reporting by national media citing Election Commission officials, Nepal will now hold its federal, provincial, and local elections in different years instead of bundling them together. The next House of Representatives election has been fixed for March 5, 2026, while provincial and local elections are planned for 2027. This follows the dissolution of the House after last year’s Gen-Z protests and the formation of an interim government.
Rationale for separating the polls
Election officials and analysts argue that staggering the polls could provide greater political stability by avoiding simultaneous turnovers at all three levels of government. In previous cycles, federal and provincial elections were held together, which often created overlapping coalition negotiations and uncertainty. Under the new arrangement, the federal government chosen in 2026 is expected to remain in place while voters choose new provincial and local representatives a year later.
Implications for parties and voters
For political parties, the separation of election dates changes campaign strategy and resource planning. National parties must now think about sequencing their messages, candidate selection, and alliances over a longer horizon. For voters, the shift could reduce ballot complexity on polling day but will also require sustained civic engagement over several years. The Leaders will continue to track how parties adjust their organisation and outreach under this phased calendar.