Election Commission Fully Prepared for March 5 HoR Polls: Acting CEC Bhandari

Kathmandu, Dec 22 — Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari has said the Election Commission (EC) is fully prepared to conduct the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5, in line with the government’s priorities.

Speaking at a discussion held at Singha Durbar on Sunday in the presence of Prime Minister Sushila Karki, representatives of political parties, Gen Z groups, and other stakeholders, Acting CEC Bhandari stated that the Commission has completed almost all preparations required for the general elections.

“Four and a half months have passed since the government announced the election date, and we now have only two months remaining. The Election Commission has completed all procedural work except for a few remaining tasks,” he said.

Bhandari cautioned that challenges could emerge during the election period if security policies are not promptly revised after political parties submit their nomination papers. He urged security agencies and the Ministry of Home Affairs to make timely preparations to avoid any complications.

He also noted that the risk categorization of areas may differ from previous elections, stressing the need to adjust strategies accordingly. “Due to conflicts and power struggles between old and new forces, areas once considered peaceful may become risky, while previously sensitive areas may normalize,” he said, calling on all stakeholders to cooperate to ensure a successful election.

The Acting CEC added that the Ministry of Home Affairs has assured the Commission of its commitment to maintaining law and order, and ongoing discussions between the government and the EC have indicated no major security gaps.

According to Bhandari, all procedures, directives, and the election code of conduct for the March 5, 2026 polls have been drafted in line with existing laws. He said the code of conduct will be enforced with coordination and consensus among political parties and the government.

During the meeting, the Commission also urged political parties not to alter the deadline for submitting candidate lists under the proportional representation system, warning that any changes could disrupt the election schedule.

Given the limited time and human resources available, revising the election timetable would create significant difficulties, he said.