Nepal’s main opposition force, the CPN-UML, led by former Prime Minister K. P. Sharma Oli, has formally registered with the Election Commission to contest the March 5 general elections — despite continuing its campaign against the polls and demanding restoration of the dissolved Parliament.
Senior leaders, along with the party’s Central Election Department chief Niraj Acharya, visited the EC headquarters on Tuesday to submit the registration papers.
The development came hours after the party approached the Supreme Court with a writ petition seeking reinstatement of the House of Representatives, which was dissolved on the recommendation of Prime Minister Sushila Karki.
The CPN-UML has been staging protests against the dissolution, arguing that the Karki-led administration lacks the mandate to conduct a parliamentary election.
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Karki was appointed Prime Minister in September by President Ramchandra Paudel following the Gen Z movement, which led to Oli’s resignation.
The Election Commission said 68 political parties have registered so far for the March 5 polls, with the deadline for applications set to end on Wednesday.
Amid the political standoff, Information and Communication Minister Jagadish Kharel appealed to the public to trust the electoral process, noting that even parties opposing the election are entering the fray.
He said the government has already activated its security plan and that the electorate is prepared to vote.
