The Tamesis
February 26, 2026
kathmandu – As the March 5 election approaches, questions have begun on social media and elsewhere about whether early voting will take place as scheduled.
Controversial monarchist Durga Prasain and her supporters have been vocal against holding elections on March 5.
In particular, former King Gyanendra said in a video message released on February 18, the eve of Democracy Day, that holding elections under the current circumstances would not provide a solution for the country. His comments added to the uncertainty over whether the vote will go ahead as scheduled.
As doubts about early voting grew on social media, the government and political parties confirmed the election would be held on the set date.
On the recommendation of the Election Commission, Sushila Karki’s government on Tuesday declared March 4 to 6 as public holidays, allowing voters to go to designated polling stations, but rumors that the election may be postponed are still circulating.
The CPN-UML has expressed strong opposition to what it calls attempts to spread rumors about delaying the upcoming elections.
Speaking at a regular press conference at the party’s headquarters in Chasar on Tuesday, the party’s Information and Publicity Secretary Min Bahadur Shahi urged the government to clarify the situation. He said speculation about delaying the vote was deliberately spread and warned that such rhetoric could cause unnecessary confusion among voters.
Shahi stressed that the party still adheres to the position that the election must be held on March 5 as scheduled.
“We have made it clear that the elections should be held on the scheduled date. We have no reason to believe that the elections will be postponed,” Shahi said.
He also reminded the government of its responsibility to ensure a safe and fearless environment for voters. He pointed out that ensuring that citizens can vote freely, independently and without intimidation is a basic democratic obligation of the country.
“We want the government to ensure that elections are not postponed on any pretext,” Shahi added. “We would like to ask, what is the purpose of spreading such rumors?”
However, Prime Minister Sushila Karki’s Press Advisor Ram Bahadur Rawal refuted the speculation, saying rumors cannot be treated or accepted. He insisted that the government had completed all necessary preparations and voting would take place in each constituency on the scheduled date.
“We don’t know where or why these rumors are spreading,” he said. “The election will take place as planned.”
Amid growing speculation in political circles that the election may be postponed, National People’s Party (RSP) chairman Rabi Lamichane said if the vote is to be postponed, it should be four days earlier. He made the remarks while addressing a Real Socialist party election rally in Itahari on Tuesday.
“To those who keep saying the election should be postponed, I just want to say this,” Ramichahn told the crowd. “If you have to move the date, then let’s move it forward four days — and we’re fine with that.”
Although he claimed some parties were calling for a delay, he did not specify which ones.
At the same time, a leader of the Nepali Congress Party recalled that with the exception of the 2022 parliamentary elections, dating back to 1999, there were rumors of postponing the elections before almost every election.
“In our country, until the ballot box actually goes up, there’s always uncertainty about whether the election will go ahead as scheduled,” said the leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity. “What we’re seeing now is nothing new.”
UML president KP Sharma Oli accused RSP leaders of trying to disrupt the elections, calling them “destructive”.
“Their tendency to spread lies, engage in deception, pursue anti-poverty policies and resort to what he called destructive practices against national assets has created uncertainty in the electoral process,” Oli told the media on Monday.
“Given this destructive mentality – characterized by dishonesty, fraud, targeting of the poor and damage to state property – it is difficult to be absolutely certain that the election will go smoothly,” he said.
Recently, RSP supporters allegedly burned UML flags, leading to increased friction between the two sides and heightened tensions in the Dang.
Critics have taken issue with some of the provocative comments made by Real Socialist Party leader Ramich Chane during campaign appearances across the country, arguing that such comments could further inflame the sensitive political atmosphere.
As polling day approaches, many are asking why there is still uncertainty ahead of it. Even a senior Nepalese police official admitted to being confused.
The official said that during a meeting with Home Minister Om Prakash Ayal on Monday, the minister himself raised doubts over the doubts circulating over the election.
Despite the speculation, the official stressed that security agencies have completed all necessary preparations and continue to make every effort to ensure that the election takes place as scheduled.
“From a security perspective, we are fully prepared to hold the election on the scheduled date,” the official said. “Despite various misgivings in society, we are confident that the election will go ahead as planned.”
