KATHMANDU, MARCH 8
The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL) has said Nepal's 2026 House of Representatives elections were largely peaceful and orderly, but noted persistent challenges related to electoral accountability, campaign finance transparency and inclusive political participation.
In its interim report on the March 5 elections, ANFREL said the polls were held in a politically transitional and polarized environment following the upheaval in September 2025, yet voter participation reflected continued public engagement with democratic processes.
The report said the Election Commission Nepal managed the technical preparations for the elections within a compressed timeframe and despite operating with incomplete membership, while overall stakeholder confidence in the commission remained relatively high. However, observers noted gaps in voter education and uneven access to election information, particularly in remote areas.
ANFREL also raised concerns about the weak and inconsistent enforcement of the electoral Code of Conduct, with frequent reports of violations related to campaign activities and spending during the campaign period.
The report highlighted campaign finance regulation as another structural weakness, noting that actual campaign spending often exceeds legal limits and that limited public access to financial reports reduces transparency and accountability. These factors, it said, create advantages for wealthier candidates and pose barriers for women and candidates from marginalised communities.
Security personnel were widely deployed across polling stations and generally contributed to maintaining stability on election day. However, observers reported that armed security personnel were present inside many polling centres, sometimes close to voting areas, suggesting clearer guidelines could strengthen confidence in the voting environment.
Accessibility for persons with disabilities, elderly voters and people with mobility limitations also remained inconsistent, as many polling stations were located in buildings with difficult terrain or limited infrastructure.
The report further noted that women and marginalised groups remain underrepresented among candidates, particularly under the first-past-the-post system, despite constitutional commitments to inclusion. At the same time, youth engagement in the electoral process was visible, reflecting growing public demand for political renewal.
ANFREL also said domestic election observer groups continue to play a key role in monitoring elections but often operate with limited financial and technical capacity, while awareness about the role of election observers among some local authorities and security personnel remains limited.
Looking ahead, the organization said the post-election environment will be crucial in shaping the legitimacy of the electoral process, urging political parties and leaders to respond to public demands for accountability, institutional reform and democratic renewal.
Established in 1997, ANFREL is a regional network promoting democratic elections and electoral integrity in Asia through observation missions, capacity building and advocacy. The organization has previously observed several elections in Nepal, including the 2017 general elections and the 2022 federal and provincial polls.
