HoR polls: Youth candidates challenge old political order in Madhesh

January 29, Kathmandu: Madhesh’s political landscape is showing signs of change in the run-up to the March 5 House of Representatives (HoR) election, with a noticeable rise in Gen Z candidates seeking voters’ trust and challenging long-standing political trends.

A review of candidate lists shows that the September 23–24 Gen Z movement has begun to influence electoral politics in the region. Young candidates are increasingly asserting the need for their representation in Parliament and government. However, activists say the overall slate still falls short of their aspirations and remains tilted toward those with resources and political networks.

According to the Election Commission, 58 Gen Z candidates are contesting under the first-past-the-post system across Madhesh Province. Of them, 56 are men and only two are women. Forty-one candidates are independents, while 17 represent 12 political parties.

The Ujyalo Nepal Party and Janamat Party have each fielded three youth candidates, followed by the Shram Sanskriti Party with two. Several other parties, including CPN-UML, Rastriya Swatantra Party and Rastriya Prajatantra Party, have nominated one youth candidate each.

Sociologist Neel Bahadur Lumre said the young contenders share dissatisfaction with legacy politics and are promoting agendas focused on good governance, jobs, education and health. Political analyst Shankar Mahato said their participation signals a gradual shift in political culture and is likely to encourage wider youth engagement in future elections.