A Look Back at Nepal's Parliamentary Elections Since 1990 Restoration

Kathmandu. Three general elections for the House of Representatives were held following the political change of 2046 BS. In the general election held in 2048 BS, the Nepali Congress succeeded in securing an absolute majority with 110 seats. CPN-UML became the main opposition party by winning 69 seats in the 205-member House of Representatives. The United People's Front became the third largest party by winning 9 seats.

Due to power struggles between the then Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala, leader Krishna Prasad Bhattarai, and Ganesh Man Singh within the ruling Congress party, the House of Representatives collapsed on Ashar 27, 2051 BS, before completing its five-year term. The then Prime Minister Koirala announced a mid-term election for Kartik 29. In that election, UML became the largest party by winning 88 seats. Congress settled for 83 seats. RPP became the third largest party by winning 20 seats.

Along with the restoration of multi-party democracy, the general public held intense aspirations for good governance, social justice, and prosperity, but this was accompanied by political instability, corruption, mismanagement, poverty, economic backwardness, and the start of the Maoist insurgency. Raising issues of nationalism, democracy, and people's livelihood, the then CPN-Maoist launched an insurgency against the royal regime starting from Falgun 1, 2052 BS.

Extreme disillusionment grew among the general public due to the formation and dissolution of governments for four years following the mid-term election. Taking advantage of the government's misrule, the Maoists intensified their armed insurgency nationwide. Amidst the insurgency, the coalition government led by Koirala announced a general election on Magh 1, 2055 BS. Since the Congress had proposed Krishna Prasad Bhattarai as the future Prime Minister while going to the elections, it secured a majority. In the election held in two phases on Baisakh 20 and Jestha 3, 2056 BS, Congress won 111 seats. UML, which became the largest party in 2051 BS, came second by winning 71 seats. RPP, which won 20 seats in the previous election, won 11 seats.

Although Bhattarai became Prime Minister after the election, the government fell within 9 months. Politics became trapped in the vicious cycle of government formation and dissolution due to power and authority struggles within the ruling Congress. Following the massacre at the palace on Jestha 19, 2058 BS, which resulted in the demise of King Birendra's lineage, Gyanendra, who became King, dismissed the popularly elected government on Ashoj 18, 2059 BS, and began ruling according to his preference.

Meanwhile, a state of emergency was declared to suppress the Maoist insurgency. The election scheduled by the royal proclamation at that time was ultimately postponed. Following widespread pressure regarding the King's move, Gyanendra handed over power to Sher Bahadur Deuba on Jestha 21, 2061 BS. However, just 8 months after the power transfer, the Deuba government was dismissed on Magh 19, and he formed a government under his own leadership.

Against Gyanendra's 'coup,' a 12-point agreement was reached on Mangsir 7, 2062 BS, between the then seven parliamentary parties and the rebel Maoists. Based on that agreement, the second Jana Andolan (People's Movement) of 2062/63 began, which ended the traditional monarchy in Nepal. A Federal Democratic Republic was established in the country. Although many distortions of parliamentary politics crept in during the 16 years since the establishment of multi-party democracy, some positive work was done in fundamental rights, personal freedom, liberal economy, and infrastructure development for the general public. The parliament, formed through elections considered crucial for laying the foundation of democracy, ultimately suspended the monarchy on Jestha 4, 2063 BS.

As the Republic completes 17 years, the popularly elected parliament was dissolved in Bhadra due to the agitation led by the 'Genji' against corruption and mismanagement. Elections for a fresh mandate are being held tomorrow (Thursday).

Nevertheless, the statistical details of the three elections held after the restoration of the multi-party system are presented below. The point-wise details are based on the book 'History of Elections in Nepal' published by the Election Commission.

1. Total Number of Posts to be Elected  

• Eastern Development Region (16 districts)
• Central Development Region (19 districts)
• Western Development Region (16 districts)
• Mid-Western Development Region (15 districts)
• Far-Western Development Region (9 districts)

2. Election Announcement and Election

• House of Representatives Member Election, 2048
• Election Date Announcement - Magh 28, 2047
• General Election - Baisakh 29, 2048
• By-election (Sunsari-3, Kathmandu-5) - Magh 26, 2048
• By-election (Jhapa-1, Kathmandu-1) - Magh 25, 2050

House of Representatives Member Election, 2051

• Election Date Announcement - Ashar 27, 2051 
• General Election - Kartik 29, 2051
• By-election - Magh 11, 2053 (Sunsari 5, Kathmandu 1, Rautahat 2, Rupandehi 2, and Baitadi 1)

A mid-term election for the House of Representatives was announced on Jestha 30, 2052 BS, during the tenure of Prime Minister Man Mohan Adhikari. However, the election did not take place because the parliament was reinstated by the Supreme Court's decision on Bhadra 12, 2052 BS.

House of Representatives Member Election, 2056

• Election Date Announcement - Magh 1, 2055 
• General Election - Baisakh 20 and Jestha 3, 2056
• By-election - Margashirsha 23, 2056 (Jhapa 6, Morang 1, and Rautahat 4)

House of Representatives Member Election, 2059 (Announced Only)

• Election Date Announcement - Jestha 8, 2059
• General Election - Kartik 27, Mangsir 9, 
• The Commission's decision to complete the election in 6 phases on Mangsir 21, Poush 3, Poush 14, and Poush 26.
• Nepali Congress - 83
• Rastriya Prajatantra Party - 20
• Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party - 4
• Nepal Sadbhavana Party - 3
• Independent - 7  

2056

• Nepali Congress - 111
• CPN (UML) - 71
• Rastriya Prajatantra Party - 11
• Nepal Sadbhavana Party - 5
• United People's Front - 5
• Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party - 1
• United People's Front - 1
• Independent - 0