Preparations for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, 2026, are gaining momentum as the number of new voters and political parties continues to rise.

According to the Election Commission (EC), over 200,000 new voters have been added to the voter list since the announcement of the election on September 12, while 21 new political parties have applied for registration. Some of these parties have already obtained registration certificates, while others are either undergoing internal unification or have recently split from their parent organizations.

As of November 11, a total of 209,552 new voters have been registered, including 122,740 men, 86,785 women, and 27 others, said EC spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai. On that day alone, 23,638 individuals were added to the list.

Voter registration is currently underway across all seven provincial offices and 70 district offices of the EC from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The registration process, which began on September 25, will conclude on November 16.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has urged the younger generation to register their names and participate actively in the election, calling it an opportunity to “exercise their conscience and contribute to democratic development.”

To register, individuals must present a Nepali citizenship certificate at the designated voter registration site and provide biometric details. Those preferring convenience may also pre-register online.

Only citizens who are 18 years of age by March 4, 2026, are eligible to vote. The EC has advised those who will not reach the required age by then to avoid current registration to help manage the heavy turnout observed at registration centers.

To address the growing rush, the EC has extended service hours, introducing two shifts (12 hours daily) in districts recording more than 800 daily registrations. An additional 14 staff members from the National Identity Card and Registration Department have been deployed to assist offices in the Kathmandu Valley, while the Ministry of Home Affairs has been requested to allocate manpower for other districts as needed.

As per EC data, voter registration is open for citizens aged 16 and above. As of last year, 18,168,230 citizens were eligible to vote.

125 Political Parties Registered So Far

Currently, 125 political parties are registered with the EC for election purposes. The number is expected to rise as 21 new parties have applied following the election announcement.

Recently, the Bamdev Gautam-led Nepal Communist Party Unification National Campaign was annulled, while the Kabir Sop-led party, Harka Sampang-led Shram Sanskriti Party, and Dinesh Raj Parsain-led Gatisheel Loktantrik Party have been newly registered.

Similarly, Rastriya Janamukti Party and Janswaraj Party have been recognized following internal splits from their mother organizations.

For new party registration, applicants must submit their statute, regulations, manifesto, flag, logo, details of central office-bearers, and information about financial sources.

The Election Commission is set to publish a notice on November 14 for election-related party registration. Both existing and new parties must apply for re-registration within 10 days (November 17–26) to qualify for participation under the proportional representation system.

Coordination Between Government and Commission

Meanwhile, discussions on overall election preparations and coordination are underway between Prime Minister Karki and Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari.

The government and the EC are exploring the possibility of enabling overseas Nepalis to vote, examining both legal and technical frameworks for implementation.

Earlier, on September 23, similar consultations were held between the Prime Minister and EC officials to ensure smooth coordination and effective execution of the upcoming elections.