KATHMANDU, Nov 29: The Election Commission (EC) is witnessing an explosion of political parties—139 listed so far, with 109 already registered for the House of Representatives (HoR) election slated for March 5. The latest addition is the Unnat Loktantrik Party registered on Friday.
According to EC Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, previously registered parties may continue with their existing symbols, while new parties must propose a symbol during registration. “We try to give parties the symbols they prefer, provided no other party has claimed them,” Bhattarai said. “However, symbols that violate legal boundaries—such as weapons—cannot be approved.”
Election symbols will be placed on the ballot papers of candida...
This election season, new parties have opted for some strikingly unconventional symbols. The Shram Sanskriti Party, led by Dharan Sub-metropolitan City Mayor Harkaraj Rai, chose a handful of soil held in two palms. The Ujyalo Nepal Party, formed under Minister Kulman Ghising—who currently oversees three ministries—picked a burning lantern. The Rastriya Pariwartan Party, led by Rajesh Praten, selected a grinding stone (jaato). The Nagarik Sewa Party, led by Shreya KC, chose a scooter, while the Nepal Communist Party (Maoist) led by Netra Bikram Chand opted for a rose. Chand even carried a rose during his recent visit to the EC to collect his party’s registration certificate.
Likewise, the Aawaj Party, headed by Ram Bohara, chose an ear as its symbol. The Nepal Liberal Party, led by Gopilal Neupane, selected a coin. The Nepal Janasewa Party, led by Prakash Khadka, went with a shoe, while the Janadesh Party Nepal—chaired by Raman Karna with Aliza Gautam as vice-chair—picked a microphone, according to the EC.
Many newly registered parties also share strikingly similar names, with “Rastriya” and “Loktantra” appearing almost everywhere. Parties registered include Sarbabhaum Nagarik Party, Rastrabadi Kendra Nepal, Rastriya Urjasheel Party, Nagarik Sarwocchata Party, Trimul Party, Iitihashik Janata Party, Prajatantrik Party Nepal, Rastriya Gaurab Party, Akhanda Sudurpashchim Party, Rastriya Yuwa Party, Ekata Nepal Party, Nawanirman Party, Sarwodaya Party, Hamro Party Nepal, Udaar Loktantra Party, and Nepali Pratham Party.
The EC has extended the party registration deadline for the March 5 election until November 30. According to the EC, all parties represented in the dissolved HoR have now completed the required registration formalities.
