Nepal Dissolves Parliament Amid Youth-Led Uprising, Sets Fresh Elections for March 2026

As Nepal enters a transitional political phase, all eyes are now on the interim government led by Sushila Karki. With the clock ticking toward the March 2026 elections, the coming months will test the ability of the new administration to restore order, address grievances, and lay the groundwork for a democratic reset amid complex political dynamics. 

KalimNews, Kathmandu, September 13, 2025 : In a dramatic political development that follows weeks of mass youth-led protests and intense constitutional negotiations, Nepal’s President Ram Chandra Paudel has formally dissolved the House of Representatives based on the recommendation of newly appointed Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki. The dissolution came into effect at 11 PM on Friday, September 12, 2025, and new general elections have been scheduled for March 5, 2026 (Falgun 21, 2082 BS).

A Historic Appointment

Sushila Karki, the former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Nepal, was appointed as the head of a non-partisan interim government under Article 61 of the Constitution of Nepal. Her appointment marks a historic shift in the nation’s political trajectory and fulfills a key demand of Gen-Z protestors who have been calling for a non-political caretaker administration and immediate parliamentary elections.

President Paudel exercised his constitutional authority to appoint Karki, citing his responsibility to protect and uphold the Constitution and promote national unity. According to a statement issued by the Office of the President and signed by Deputy Secretary Rupesh Jung Thapa Magar, the appointment follows consultations with key political stakeholders and legal experts.

The political deadlock that preceded Karki’s appointment involved a heated debate over constitutional procedure — whether the Prime Minister should be appointed first or whether the Parliament should be dissolved first. Initially firm on the position that Parliament must be dissolved before any appointment, Karki eventually agreed to follow the President’s constitutional interpretation and accepted the post of Prime Minister before recommending dissolution.

President Paudel maintained that only upon the Prime Minister’s recommendation could Parliament be legally dissolved. “If I dissolve Parliament without a recommendation from the Prime Minister, the Supreme Court may overturn the decision in the future,” he reportedly told the parties during deliberations.

Gen-Z Protest Movement and Political Pressure

The recent wave of protests, largely driven by Nepal’s younger generation, had been escalating over the last few weeks, calling for a reset of the political system and the creation of a neutral administration. Mayor Balen Shah of Kathmandu was among the prominent public figures supporting the dissolution-first approach. He endorsed Karki’s leadership via social media while echoing Gen-Z’s call for parliamentary dissolution.

Legal facilitation was provided by Advocate Om Prakash Aryal, who acted as a mediator between Karki and constitutional experts. Aryal, a legal advisor to the Kathmandu Metropolitan City, was also instrumental in shaping the legal path for the dissolution through cabinet recommendation.

Ultimately, consensus was reached that Karki would first be appointed Prime Minister, after which her cabinet would formally recommend the dissolution of the House. The recommendation was swiftly accepted and ratified by President Paudel the same night.

First Major Decisions and Cabinet Plans

Immediately following her oath of office, Prime Minister Karki convened the first cabinet meeting at Sheetal Niwas, the presidential residence. At the meeting, she recommended the dissolution of Parliament and set March 5, 2026, as the date for fresh elections — decisions that were promptly approved.

Karki also confirmed that her cabinet would be expanded within days to ensure a broad-based, non-partisan administration tasked with preparing for the elections. The newly formed government has received international support. Both India and the United Kingdom have officially welcomed the formation of the interim government, hailing it as a positive step toward restoring political stability in Nepal.

“We welcome the formation of a new interim government in Nepal under the leadership of Sushila Karki. We hope that it will contribute to promoting peace and stability,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs stated.

Damage to Government Infrastructure and Relocation of Prime Minister’s Office

The office of the Prime Minister, located in Singha Durbar, was destroyed during recent protests when demonstrators set it ablaze. As a result, the Prime Minister’s working office will now be relocated to a newly completed six-story building originally constructed for the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Completed on May 28, 2025, at a cost of NPR 564.3 million, the earthquake-resistant building includes three blocks and facilities for over 350 vehicles and 150 motorcycles. The Prime Minister’s office will be on the first floor, the Chief Secretary's on the second, and general administrative offices on the third. A hall on the fourth floor will accommodate more than 350 people. Preparations for the move are currently underway.

Casualties and Law Enforcement Updates

The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has issued a public appeal for the return of looted items taken during the recent unrest. In a statement released on Friday, the CIB warned that those failing to return stolen goods would be subject to legal investigation and prosecution. Citizens have been urged to return items to the nearest security authority and refrain from purchasing or reselling any looted property.

The nationwide protests have come at a heavy human cost. According to DIG Binod Ghimire, spokesperson for Nepal Police, a total of 52 people have lost their lives in the unrest. The breakdown is as follows: 21 protesters, three police officers, nine prison inmates, 18 civilians, and one Indian woman.

In a briefing by Dr. Bikas Devkota, Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Population, it was revealed that 284 individuals are currently receiving treatment in 52 hospitals across the country, while over 1,771 injured persons have been treated and discharged.

Growing Opposition from Political Parties

Despite the constitutional backing, the decision to dissolve Parliament has faced sharp opposition from major political parties. Leaders such as Shankar Pokhrel of the CPN (UML), Agni Sapkota, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda" of the CPN (Maoist Centre) have criticized the move, labeling it undemocratic and destabilizing.

Nonetheless, President Paudel defended his decision as a necessary step to ensure national unity and constitutional compliance. He said he had already secured informal consent from top party leaders that Karki did not need to be an elected parliamentarian to assume the role of Prime Minister under Article 61(4), which grants the President the authority to appoint a caretaker Prime Minister to safeguard the Constitution.