KATHMANDU, Sept 24: Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who assumed the leadership of the interim government following the Gen-Z uprising on September 8 and 9, has stated that her government’s top priority is to hold elections in the country on March 5.
While taking charge on September 14, she declared that her government’s main priority was to hold elections at a stipulated date.
However, nearly two weeks after Karki assumed leadership, the Council of Ministers has yet to reach full formation. While expanding the cabinet, Prime Minister Karki must not only follow the Gen-Z movement’s mandate—investigating the violence and destruction of September 8 and 9, establishing good governance, forming commissions for corruption control—but also ensure the elections scheduled for March 5. Currently, the Council of Ministers consists of eight members.
The constitutional provision allows for a council of up to 25 ministers. Sources indicate that PM Karki intends to form a cabinet of no more than 15 members. Delays in expanding the cabinet have occurred as some desired candidates refused ministerial positions.
Professor Lokraj Baral suggested that Karki’s attempt to include independent and untainted individuals in the government may also have caused delays in completing the cabinet.
Although PM Karki is committed to holding elections on the scheduled date, Baral notes that the government faces some difficulties in moving at the pace expected by the public.
Analyzing the situation, Baral said, “Who is the leader of the suddenly emerging Gen-Z group? Who is the widely accepted representative?”- uncertainty over this has created practical challenges for expanding the government.
Individuals claiming to be Gen-Z leaders also sparked disputes, creating obstacles for Prime Minister Karki in completing her cabinet. Meanwhile, older parties ousted by the two-day uprising have started to stir, arguing that the Karki-led government’s move to dissolve the House of Representatives is unconstitutional.
At a time when parliamentary reinstatement is under debate, the government has yet to hold talks or coordinate with political parties regarding the elections, besides following constitutional, legal, and democratic procedures.
Claims that the government is targeting individuals for retribution for previous appointments have also strengthened perceptions that the government is not committed to its main objectives.
Constitutional expert Surya Dhungel said that the prolonged cabinet formation has raised some concerns. However, he said that the selection of individuals for the government has so far left no grounds for criticism, stating, “It is premature to doubt whether elections on March 5 will not happen.”
Following the Gen-Z movement, the new situation demands not only corruption control, good governance, and investigation of the September 8 violence and the ensuring destruction on September 9, but also raises questions about whether elections for a directly elected executive can be completed within six months.
Dhungel said that PM Karki is committed to elections, with the Nepali Army assisting the government and desired individuals participating in the cabinet, making operations smoother. However, the full formation of the cabinet will determine whether the government stays on the right path and how political parties influence whether elections occur. He emphasized that within three to four weeks, the government must present a clear roadmap and stance, or problems may arise.
Newly appointed Minister for Communication and Information Technology Jagdish Kharel has affirmed that the government’s primary responsibility is to hold elections on March 5.
After assuming office on Monday, he stated that the government would coordinate with political parties and relevant stakeholders to ensure dialogue, discussions, and coordinated work for the elections.
He added, “Apart from holding elections, this government must investigate the uprising, take disciplinary action against the guilty, and address demands of the Gen-Z movement for good governance and anti-corruption. Even if corruption control work is incomplete, some progress must begin, and the government will move forward on that path. However, the main mandate of this government remains conducting the elections, and we are committed to that.”
In response to movement demands, the government has formed a committee under Gauri Bahadur Karki to investigate the two-day uprising. Meanwhile, a faction of Gen-Z on the streets continues to express dissatisfaction, claiming others have hijacked their movement and demanding a directly elected executive as Prime Minister.
Although the election date has been announced, one Gen-Z faction asserts that holding a direct executive election on March 5 is unlikely.
Professor Baral said that Nepal has previously conducted major elections, making the March 5 elections feasible. He also observes that constitutional amendments are not a viable option before that date.
He added, “Emotional arguments should not drive the discussion of a directly elected executive. If old and new parties reach an agreement on constitutional amendments, the next parliament will advance them.”
The factions continue to warn of renewed protests if their demands are unmet, suggesting that older political parties may also become obstacles for the Karki government in conducting elections on 21 Falgun.
Currently, traditional parties are not ready to address them. Nepali Congress (NC) leader Krishna Prasad Sitaula has claimed that the two-day uprising disrupted all of Nepal, with Gen-Z achieving no victory. On Monday, during Dashain greetings, he said, “Never participate in terrorist-like activities like those of September 9. You have achieved nothing; Nepal has suffered.”
Sitaula, also a National Assembly member, had stated in a party meeting that elections on March 5 may not be feasible and that the parliament reinstatement issue must proceed.
Eight party leaders in the House of Representatives, including NC, have opposed the dissolution, stating it is unconstitutional and calling for reinstatement.
The Supreme Court is the body to test whether the appointment of the interim Prime Minister was constitutional. In the past, it has issued detailed rulings on similar dissolutions. The court will also issue decisions on the interim government formed after the Gen-Z uprising and the dissolution of the House.
What if elections do not happen?
President Ramchandra Paudel appointed Karki as Prime Minister using powers inherent in the head of state following the two-day uprising, instructing her to hold House elections within six months.
Accordingly, Prime Minister Karki dissolved the House of Representatives and announced elections for March 5. The Constitution does not envisage a Houseless situation beyond six months.
Thus, the interim Prime Minister’s term is limited to six months. Failure to hold elections within this period may raise questions about the government’s legitimacy, and some believe the President may need to intervene.
After the first Constituent Assembly dissolution, former President Ram Baran Yadav appointed Baburam Bhattarai as caretaker Prime Minister. Bhattarai had set the second Constituent Assembly election for 23 November 2012.
When elections did not occur on that date, the former President began forming a new government. Following party consensus, the then Chief Justice Khil Raj Regmi was appointed head of the interim cabinet to conduct elections, concluding the process.
The current President may begin seeking alternatives after March 5 if elections cannot be held, potentially forming a new government. She may also grant additional months for the Karki-led government to hold elections with presidential and Prime Ministerial consent.
If elections cannot occur as scheduled, the President may press the government to recommend parliamentary reinstatement—a step unlikely to be taken by the current Prime Minister. Failure to hold elections on March 5 could prolong the transitional period.
This could weaken the country’s economic, social, and cultural conditions, and Nepal’s geopolitical sensitivity may trigger more active involvement from friendly and powerful nations, analysts suggest.
The voice of dissent will grow stronger. Police morale, weakened during the two-day uprising, may further decline, and looted weapons could perpetuate instability indefinitely.
Lawyer and former legal advisor to President Yadav, Lalit Bahadur Basnet, asserts that holding elections on March 5 is the best option to maintain constitutional order.
However, if elections do not occur on the set date, constitutional procedures and the balance of power at that time will determine subsequent actions, Basnet notes.
Highlighting the Prime Minister’s mandate to hold elections within six months, he said, “If elections do not occur within that period, the President’s discretion, political balance, and prevailing conditions will determine the next steps.”
Discussion with the Election Commission
The government met with Election Commission officials on Tuesday regarding the March 5elections. Prime Minister Karki emphasized that holding free, fair, fearless, impartial, and cost-effective elections is the government’s highest priority.
She pledged to provide all necessary resources, personnel, and reliable security arrangements.
Prime Minister Karki also urged the immediate commencement of all election preparations. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari confirmed that materials, including ballot boxes, are available. However, the Chief Election Commissioner and one commissioner post have been vacant for some time.
The Election Commission reports that by the end of Chaitra (mid-April), there will be 9,237,572 men, 8,910,896 women, and 186 others eligible to vote, having reached 18 years of age.
Former Secretary of the Election Commission, Gopi Mainali, noted that in 2074, local elections were completed in 83 days despite lacking infrastructure, laws, and necessary election materials. He stated, “Now, the Commission is well-prepared and efficient.”
He added that some legal and technical preparations, as well as commitment from the government and political parties, are still needed for the elections.