Nepal elections: Gen Z hopes for genuine political reforms

"I wasn't pelting stones. I was arranging water for people around me, and blinded by tear gas when the police opened fire. The youth-led demonstrations, fueled by popular anger against Nepal's ruling class over rampant corruption and unemployment, forced then Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign."

"If young people reach Parliament and raise their voices, the impact of the movement may be seen. But if the old parties return to power, and nothing changes, our struggle will be gone in vain. She is convinced that the nation's youth did not come onto the streets last year to topple the government, but to raise their voices against corruption and to call for good governance."

Nepal's youth-led demonstrations in September 2025 resulted in significant political upheaval, forcing Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli's resignation and leading to parliament dissolution and early elections. The movement, driven by anger over corruption and unemployment, faced deadly police crackdowns that injured participants like 20-year-old Liza Adhikari, who was shot while providing aid to protesters. Nearly 19 million voters registered for elections to select 275 House of Representatives members through direct and proportional representation. Youth activists emphasize their movement aimed to combat corruption and demand good governance rather than simply topple the government. Young people hope that parliamentary representation will enable meaningful political and cultural reform, fearing their sacrifices will be wasted if traditional parties regain power without implementing substantive changes.

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