Key figures contesting for power include the Marxist former prime minister seeking a return to office, a rapper-turned-mayor bidding for the youth vote, and the newly elected leader of the powerful Nepali Congress party. Youth-led protests under a loose Gen Z banner began as a demonstration against a brief social media ban, but were fed by wider grievances at corruption and a woeful economy. The Jhapa-5 constituency, with around 163,000 voters, will determine whether Oli secures his seat or whether Shah enters parliament. On social media, voters shared images of their ink-marked thumbs -- alongside photographs of the September protests. Analysts say the vote is unlikely to deliver an outright majority for any party.

Source: Dhaka Tribune March 05, 2026 09:21 UTC