Pokhara, 28 January | As the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5 (Phagun 21) approaches, Nepal’s major political parties are facing criticism for failing to release their election manifestos. While candidates have intensified their door-to-door campaigns and digital outreach, the absence of formal policy documents has made it difficult for voters to evaluate and compare the competing political visions. Despite having nearly six months to prepare since the interim government led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki announced the snap polls following the historic Gen Z movement in September, the delay persists across all major political spectrums.
Political analysts emphasize that the timely publication of a manifesto is crucial for a healthy democracy, as it provides a yardstick for accountability. Prominent youth activists and writers have taken to social media to demand clarity on legislative agendas rather than just introductory videos and surface-level slogans. They argue that voters, particularly the younger generation, are interested in concrete plans regarding economic policy, healthcare, and education rather than the past records or personal charisma of the candidates. The delay is being seen as a lack of preparation or a disregard for the intellectual engagement of the electorate.
Responding to the concerns, the Nepali Congress has stated that its draft is in the consultation phase under the leadership of President Gagan Thapa, while the CPN (UML) claims to be in the final stages of internal deliberation. Meanwhile, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has announced that it will release its manifesto, termed ‘Bachapatra,’ on February 13 (Phagun 1). Although party leaders argue that the early registration of candidates has made the delay more apparent, the reality remains that with only 37 days left until the polls, the primary document meant to guide the voters’ decision is still missing from the public domain.
