KATHMANDU: Khabarhub brings you a glimpse of major developments of the day in Nepal, including politics, business/economy, sports, entertainment, and more.
National Security Council says full preparations in place for election security
The National Security Council Nepal has concluded that all preparations for election security have been completed and reaffirmed its commitment to ensure a free and fair vote. A meeting of the council held at Singha Durbar on Wednesday reviewed security arrangements for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Thursday. The 42nd meeting of the council was chaired by Prime Minister Sushila Karki.
PM Karki meets President Paudel on eve of election
Prime Minister Sushila Karki held a meeting with President Ram Chandra Paudel on Wednesday afternoon. The meeting took place at Shital Niwas, where the two leaders discussed current political developments. During the meeting, Prime Minister Karki also briefed the President on preparations for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Thursday.
Election Commission to publish FPTP results within 24 hours
The Election Commission has urged voters to participate enthusiastically and actively in the House of Representatives election. Organizing a press conference in Kathmandu on Wednesday on the eve of the election, the Commission stated that all preparations for the polls have been completed and called on voters to take part in the democratic exercise. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said the Commission remains committed to fulfilling its constitutional responsibility of conducting a free, fair, transparent, and credible election.
EOC Nepal mobilises 700 observers ahead of March 5 HoR voting
The Election Observation Committee Nepal has mobilised 700 national election observers across the country in view of the House of Representatives (HoR) voting scheduled for March 5. EOC Nepal, one of the oldest organisations authorised to observe elections in the country, stated that it has deployed observers for both long-term monitoring and emergency observation purposes. The organisation noted that the use of social media has become more widespread in this election compared to previous polls. In response, it has formed a special technical team to closely monitor potential violations of the election code of conduct through the misuse of cyberspace.
Govt to deploy private helicopters alongside Nepal Army for election patrols
The government has decided to use helicopters from private companies in addition to Nepal Army aircraft to patrol polling areas during tomorrow’s House of Representatives elections. According to Rama Acharya, the decision was made after it was determined that the Nepal Army’s helicopters alone would not be sufficient for nationwide election security patrols. The move was approved in a security committee meeting held on Wednesday morning. “Helicopter patrols will cover not only highly sensitive and constitutional polling centres but also other areas across the country,” Acharya told Khabarhub.
Vote Counting Center set up at Damak for Jhapa-5
The vote counting center for the House of Representatives election in Jhapa-5 has been set up at the Organic Agriculture Market in Damak. Security arrangements have been tightened at the counting venue. Windows and doors have been secured with high wire mesh fencing, and CCTV cameras have been installed to ensure surveillance and transparency during the counting process. In this constituency, CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is a key contender. Balendra Shah is contesting from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). Mandara Chimariya is representing the Nepali Congress, while Ranjit Tamang is in the race from the Nepal Communist Party (NCP).
Nepal’s economy on recovery path but sectoral impact uneven: NRB report
Although Nepal’s economy appears to be on a path to recovery, its impact across sectors remains uneven, according to the half-yearly macroeconomic report published by the Nepal Rastra Bank. The report notes that despite political and social unrest triggered by the ‘Gen-Z’ movement during the first quarter of the fiscal year 2025/26, the overall economic situation remained stable. However, the central bank has projected that key economic indicators are likely to remain slightly below the government’s targets for the current fiscal year.
Five election staff airlifted from remote Dolpa polling center after falling ill
Five election personnel stationed at a remote polling center in Shey Phoksundo Rural Municipality, Upper Dolpa, were airlifted by helicopter after falling ill due to extreme cold and low oxygen levels in the high Himalayan region. The administration reported that the affected staff showed symptoms including fever, headache, cough, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. As their condition risked becoming serious, the Nepali Army deployed a helicopter for immediate evacuation. Those rescued included Gorkha Bahadur Thapa, an assistant staff member at the district court, Dhan Bahadur Mahtara from Salt Trading, and three election police personnel. They were taken to Dolpa District Hospital for treatment.
Helicopters on standby to ensure smooth ballot delivery to remote areas for tomorrow’s polls
The Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed helicopters to transport ballot boxes to remote and hard-to-reach areas for the elections scheduled tomorrow, March 5. According to Information Officer Rama Acharya Subedi, districts in the Himalayan region and areas inaccessible by road will receive ballots via helicopter, ensuring that no polling station faces delays. “We have arranged helicopters on standby. The number deployed will match the requirement on the day. Ballot boxes will reach district headquarters directly, even from the most inaccessible locations,” Subedi told Khabarhub.
HoR candidate Nisha Adhikari warns against character assassination, online abuse
House of Representatives (HoR) candidate Nisha Adhikari has warned that she will not remain silent over what she describes as character assassination and online abuse targeting her through social media. Adhikari, who is contesting from Kathmandu Constituency-5 on behalf of the Gatishil Loktantrik Party, expressed strong dissatisfaction over personal attacks following the registration of her candidacy. The actress-turned-politician took to Facebook on Wednesday, stating that she would not tolerate attempts to destabilize her through derogatory language. This is not the first time she has spoken out against abusive remarks. Earlier, she had urged critics to refrain from using offensive language and engaging in verbal violence.
Another RSP candidate found on Credit Information Centre blacklist
Another election candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has been found listed on the blacklist of the Credit Information Centre Nepal. Narendra Sah Kalwar, the RSP candidate from Sarlahi Constituency-3, has been identified as being on the credit bureau’s blacklist. Earlier, the Election Commission Nepal had on Tuesday annulled the candidacy of Kishori Sah Kamal, the RSP candidate from Dhanusha Constituency-1, after it was found that his name had appeared on the Credit Information Centre’s blacklist eight times.
Election candidate among four arrested with suspicious object in Parsa
Police in Parsa have arrested four individuals, including a candidate for the House of Representatives, after recovering a suspicious object from a vehicle during a security check. According to the Nepal Police, the arrest was made during a joint inspection carried out by Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force Nepal. The detained individuals include Manoj Kumar Chaudhary, a candidate for the House of Representatives from Parsa electoral constituency-2, along with three others.
Gold price drops by Rs 11,000 per tola
The price of gold witnessed a sharp decline in the domestic market on Wednesday, falling by Rs 11,000 per tola compared to Tuesday. According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the price of fine gold has been fixed at Rs 317,600 per tola today. On Tuesday, gold was traded at Rs 328,600 per tola.
11 arrested for violating election code, four liquor shops sealed in Rupandehi
Police in Rupandehi district have arrested 11 individuals and sealed four liquor shops for violating the election code of conduct ahead of the House of Representatives election. According to District Police Office spokesperson Krishna Kumar Chand, the arrests were made during monitoring operations carried out to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful election environment. Police said the individuals were detained for selling and transporting alcoholic beverages despite a ban imposed during the election period.
Pre-election environment peaceful, voters enthusiastic: GEOC
The General Election Observation Committee (GEOC) has stated that the overall environment ahead of the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5 is peaceful, with voters showing strong enthusiasm to cast their ballots. Making public its pre-election observation report, GEOC concluded that preparations have been well managed and the atmosphere remains calm and organized. The assessment is based on on-site monitoring of election preparations and information collected through its call center.
Government, Election Commission say preparations complete for March 5 election
The government has said that security preparations for the election scheduled for March 5 have been completed. According to the Home Ministry, no major shortcomings have been observed in security arrangements across the country as of Tuesday. Home Ministry Information Officer Rama Acharya Subedi said necessary arrangements have been made to transport ballot boxes to polling locations. Vehicles have been arranged in areas with road access, while helicopters and aircraft will be used to transport ballot boxes to and from remote Himalayan districts.
Domestic flights to operate as required on election day
Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal (CAAN) has stated that domestic flights will operate as required on the day of the House of Representatives election. In a statement, the Authority clarified that all types of domestic flights across the country will be conducted based on demand and operational necessity. International flights, however, will remain regular except for those bound for Middle Eastern destinations. CAAN said flights to the Middle East will be operated according to revised schedules set by respective airline companies, in line with decisions of the concerned countries and airport authorities.
Nepalis in Gulf region urged to submit details through online portal
In view of the evolving situation in the Middle East, Nepali diplomatic missions in the Gulf region have intensified coordination and outreach regarding a registration portal launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Embassy of Nepal in Riyadh has urged Nepali nationals, particularly migrant workers, to fill in their details through the online portal. The embassy stated that the platform has been introduced to collect updated information on the status of Nepali citizens and to facilitate any necessary assistance or action.
Kathmandu–Dubai flights to resume tonight
Dubai–Kathmandu–Dubai flights operated by flydubai will resume from Wednesday night. According to the airline, only point-to-point passengers will be allowed to travel on the resumed flights. Airport Service Manager Narayan Pakwan said flight FZ 573 departing from Dubai will land at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu at 11:30 pm on March 4.
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