Voter Roll Grows by 837,094: PM Karki

An additional 837,094 people have registered to vote since the voter registration drive resumed in late September 2025, according to Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s official social media handles.

The drive had been suspended on September 12 following the dissolution of Parliament and the announcement of fresh elections.

Of the newly registered voters, 344,914 enrolled by visiting Election Commission (EC) offices in person and submitting biometric details, while 492,180 registered using their National Identity Card (NID).

Just days before the initial deadline, November 16, the government launched a new system allowing NID holders to register online. Rolled out on November 13, the system eliminated the need for in-person visits, as biometric verification was completed digitally through the national ID database.

Previously, voter registration relied solely on citizenship certificates, requiring applicants to pre-register online and then visit district or provincial election offices to provide biometrics.

The EC extended the voter registration deadline by five days to November 21, following repeated requests from Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who cited surging public interest and rising pressure at registration centres nationwide.

Nepali citizens aged 16 and above who possess a citizenship certificate were eligible to register on the voter roll. However, only those who are 18 or above by March 4, 2026 – a day before the upcoming election – will be eligible to vote.

The Election Commission has announced it will publish the list of eligible voters who reach 18 by March 4, 2026 on its website on December 6, 2025. From December 7 to 13, individuals may file requests, complaints, or corrections. The final voters’ list will be published on December 30, 2025.

Earlier, on September 12, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives and announced new elections for March 5, 2026. The decision followed the recommendation of newly appointed Prime Minister Sushila Karki, who assumed office that evening as caretaker leader. Karki — Nepal’s first woman Chief Justice — has been tasked with guiding the nation through a fragile transitional phase marked by political uncertainty and youth-led protests that culminated in the ouster of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli on September 9.

As of November 2, 18,168,023 individuals on the voter roll had already reached the age of 18, according to the state-owned RSS news agency.