KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
PM Karki urges three leaders to ensure successful elections at any cost
Prime Minister Sushila Karki has urged major political parties to work together to ensure the success of the upcoming House of Representatives election, which is set to be held under challenging circumstances. During a meeting with top leaders of the Nepali Congress, the Communist Party of Nepal (UML), and the Nepali Communist Party at the Prime Minister’s residence on Saturday, Prime Minister Karki called on the parties to actively participate in the election. She appealed to the leaders to view the election as a matter of the nation’s future and to commit themselves to safeguarding stable and sustainable democracy. Emphasizing that ensuring a successful election is a shared responsibility, the Prime Minister said the government believes the parties are prepared for the polls and that a conducive environment for the election is gradually taking shape.
President Paudel, former PM Nepal hold talks on timely elections
President Ram Chandra Paudel and former Prime Minister Madhav Kumar Nepal held talks at Shital Niwas on Saturday morning. According to sources, the nearly hour-long meeting focused on ensuring timely elections and creating an environment of consensus by bringing all political parties and groups on board. The two leaders also discussed the current political situation, strengthening democratic processes, and ensuring the credibility of the election.
Final voter list published, over 915,000 voters added
The Election Commission published the final voter list for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026 on on Saturday. According to the Commission, a total of 915,119 voters have been added compared to the previous House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections, which had 17,888,570 registered voters. Spokesperson of the Election Commission, Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, said the published list includes 9,663,358 male voters, 9,240,131 female voters, and 200 voters listed under ‘others’, bringing the total number of voters to 18,903,689. The final voter list has been published on the Commission’s website.
Three mainstream parties’ top leaders express commitment to participate in HoR election
The top leaders of the major three political parties, Nepali Congress (NC), CPN (UML) and Nepali Communist Party, have assured their participation in the forthcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election. During a meeting with Prime Minister Sushila Karki held at the latter’s official residence in Baluwatar today, the top leaders pledged their parties’ commitment to the polls slated for March 21, 2026, the PM’s Secretariat said. Emerging from the meeting, Nepali Congress President Sher Bahadur Deuba said, “All political parties are ready to take part in the poll. NC is also ready. UML is also ready. Other parties are also ready. The government should ensure a secure environment.”
UML to hold first Secretariat meeting after General Convention on Sunday, finalize proportional list
The CPN-UML has called its first Secretariat meeting since the conclusion of its 11th general convention. According to party’s Central Office Secretary Dr. Bhishma Adhikari, the meeting has been scheduled for Sunday with the main agenda of finalizing the list of proportional representation candidates. The meeting will be held at 11 am at the party’s central office in Chyasal. A UML office-bearer said the agenda also includes discussions on office management, the current political situation, and a briefing by party chair KP Sharma Oli on the talks held earlier on Saturday between the Prime Minister and top leaders of the three major parties.
Legal and procedural hurdles blocking rapid development: Minister Ghising
Minister for Urban Development Kulman Ghising has said that Nepal’s dream of rapid development cannot be realized unless existing legal and procedural barriers are removed. Addressing the Ghar Nirman Fest 2025, organized by the House Construction Foundation on Saturday, Minister Ghising said outdated laws, complicated procedures and bureaucratic hurdles have become the main obstacles to development. He said the government must declare a “Development Decade” and introduce an umbrella law to bring development projects onto the right track. Without such reforms, he warned, the country will fail to achieve the desired progress.
Balen Shah prepares to register new political party ‘Desh Bikash Party’
Mayor Balen Shah of Kathmandu Metropolitan City is accelerating preparations to register a new political party, ‘Desh Bikash Party’. According to sources, if discussions with the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) fail to reach a positive conclusion, Shah plans to convert his under-construction house in Jwagal, Lalitpur, into the party office. The exterior construction of the house is in its final stages, while interior work, including office setup, furniture arrangement, and other necessary structures, has already begun.
Kamala Bridge linking Siraha and Dhanusha targeted for operation by April 2026
Construction work on the much-delayed Kamala Bridge, located on the Kamala River at the Siraha–Dhanusha border under the Hulaki Highway project, is currently underway, with a target to bring it into operation by April 2026. Despite the passage of nearly 14 years since the contract agreement was signed, the bridge could not be completed on time. Construction companies are now working under a revised schedule to complete the remaining works and open the bridge to traffic within the coming months. The Kamala Bridge, which is being built under a design-and-build model by the contractor, has a total length of 469 metres.
Stakeholders stress preserving originality of Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum
Stakeholders have emphasized the need to preserve the originality of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum, underlining its historical, cultural, and archaeological significance. Speaking at a program organized on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of the Hanuman Dhoka Palace Museum Development Committee on Friday, Executive Director Kajiman Pyakurel said the committee’s objective is to promote the palace’s inner courtyards and museum at both national and international levels.
Pradeep Gyawali criticises possible Rabi Lamichhane–Balen alliance
Former deputy general secretary of the CPN-UML, Pradeep Gyawali, has sharply criticised ongoing discussions about a possible electoral alliance between Rastriya Swatantra Party Chair Rabi Lamichhane and Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah. As speculation grows over Lamichhane and Shah joining forces for the upcoming election, Gyawali made the remarks through a post on social media. “Ideologically aligned forces coming together is a good thing,” Gyawali wrote, adding in parentheses, “though whether it is ideology or interest that aligns them will be revealed by time itself.”
Sundhara drainage blocked for 25 years reopened
Kathmandu Metropolitan City (KMC) has reopened a drainage system in Sundhara that had remained blocked for the past 25 years. The drainage outlet, located near the Jayabageshwori Temple in the Pashupati area, was restored as part of efforts to revive its original and traditional structure. Ward No. 8 Chair Ashaman Sangat said the drainage was reopened on the morning of December 25 after continuous work carried out during the nights of December 21 and 24.
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