09:48 PM, 05-Mar-2026
60 percent voting in Nepal elections
Voting took place on Thursday for the parliamentary elections in Nepal, in which about 60 percent voters cast their votes. Nepal Election Commission gave this information. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari told this figure in a media briefing. Talking about the voting percentage in the last elections, it was 61.63 percent in 2022. In 2013 it was 78.34 percent. At the same time, 68.67 percent voting was recorded in 2017, 61.70 percent in 2008, 65.79 percent in 1999, 61.86 percent in 1994 and 65.15 percent in 1991. Voting continued from 7 am to 5 pm and voters who were in the queue till the stipulated time were allowed to cast their votes even after that.
06:14 PM, 05-Mar-2026
Initial estimate of around 60 to 65 percent voting: Chief Electoral Officer Khadka
After voting ended on Thursday for all the 10 seats of the House of Representatives in Kathmandu district, preparations for counting of votes have started. Chief Electoral Officer Churaman Khadka said that voting was completed peacefully at all the polling stations in the district by 5 pm. According to initial estimates, about 60 to 65 percent voters in Kathmandu have exercised their franchise.
Khadka said that it will take some time to get the exact figures of total votes cast. He said that the ballot papers from all the polling stations will be delivered to the offices of the concerned election officers within about two hours, after which the counting of votes will start.
06:10 PM, 05-Mar-2026
Voting ends for general elections in Nepal
Voting for Nepal’s parliamentary elections has officially ended at 5 pm. According to initial estimates, about 60 to 65 percent voters in Kathmandu have exercised their franchise.
05:15 PM, 05-Mar-2026
Voting expected to be more than 65 percent: Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari
Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari, while talking to journalists after voting, said that this time the voting is expected to be more than 65 percent. He said that since morning he has spoken to representatives of more than a dozen districts of the hilly areas and voting is going on there too. The weather has also remained favourable. However, it seems that about five percent of the votes in the last elections have become invalid this time. Nepal’s newspaper ‘Himalayan’ has given this information in its report.
04:51 PM, 05-Mar-2026
Voting status in the provinces till 3 pm
More than half of the registered voters in the Kathmandu Valley exercised their franchise till 3 pm on Thursday. Voting is going on for the House of Representatives elections across the country. According to the Nepal Election Commission, there are a total of 11,85,374 registered voters in the 15 seats of Kathmandu Valley. Of these, 6,24,934 people cast their votes till 3 pm, which is about 51 percent voting.
The provincial data that came till noon revealed different voting conditions across the country.
- The highest turnout of 58 percent was recorded in Kosi province. Out of 35,74,310 registered voters, 13,59,816 people cast their votes here.
- In Madhesh province, out of 36,36,414 registered voters, 10,97,570 people voted, which is about 54 percent. In Bagmati province, out of 24,96,936 voters, 10,55,924 people cast their votes. Voting here was around 53 percent.
- In Gandaki province, out of 18,70,065 voters, 8,57,459 people voted, which is about 41 percent.
- In Lumbini province, 13,67,966 people out of 33,86,680 registered voters cast their votes till 3 pm. Voting here was around 38 percent.
- In Karnali province, out of 10,37,250 voters, 4,44,493 people voted, which is about 42 percent.
- In Sudurpaschim province, out of 17,16,660 registered voters, 6,06,239 people cast their votes, which is about 43 percent.
04:47 PM, 05-Mar-2026
A total of 65 political parties are taking part in the elections.
A three-day holiday has been announced in Nepal from Wednesday for the elections. According to the Election Commission, 10,967 polling booths and 23,112 polling centers have been set up across the country. A total of 65 political parties are participating in this election.
04:42 PM, 05-Mar-2026
Peaceful voting going on in the country: Election Commissioner Sagun Shumsher Rana
Election Commissioner Sagun Shumsher Rana told local media that voting was going on peacefully across the country and no major problems were reported except minor incidents at some places. About 1.89 crore voters of Nepal are casting their votes for 275 seats of the House of Representatives. Of these, 165 members will be elected through direct voting i.e. first past the post system, while 110 members will be elected through proportional representation system. Around 3400 candidates are contesting for 165 seats under direct elections, while 3135 candidates are contesting for 110 seats under the proportional system.
02:39 PM, 05-Mar-2026
24% voting in Nepal till 1 pm
According to the Election Commission of Nepal, nationwide voting in Nepal was recorded at 24 percent till 1 pm. The highest participation was recorded in Kathmandu Valley, where the total turnout stood at 36 percent. Kathmandu district led with 41 percent, followed by Lalitpur with 31 percent and Bhaktapur with 24 percent.
01:41 PM, 05-Mar-2026
Voting continues smoothly across the country: Election Commission
According to Kathmandu Post, Election Commissioner Sagun Shamsher Rana said that voting was going on smoothly across the country and there were minor incidents at only a few places. Nepal Police has confirmed that apart from minor disputes at some places, no serious problem has arisen.
01:18 PM, 05-Mar-2026
Balen, Gagan and Prachanda got permission to board the helicopter
BBC quoted a commissioner as saying that the Election Commission has given permission to three leaders to board the helicopter on the day of voting. Election Commissioner Sagun Shamsher Jabra was quoted by BBC News Nepali as saying in its report that Gagan Thapa, Balen Shah and Pushp Kamal Dahal Prachanda have been allowed to use the helicopter.