KATHMANDU, March 27: Prime Minister Sushila Karki has expressed confidence in the country’s resilience and pledged a smooth transition to a new government following the successful completion of parliamentary elections.
Addressing the nation from the Prime Minister’s official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday, PM Karki said the elections had delivered a clear mandate for change and dispelled doubts about the ability of any party to secure a majority under the current electoral system. She described the polls, held on March 5, as “historic, peaceful and fair,” achieved through close coordination with the Election Commission of Nepal and sustained dialogue with political parties.
Recalling the uncertainty when she assumed office on September 12, in the aftermath of the September 8–9 youth-led unrest, PM Karki said her government had succeeded in stabilising the country and fulfilling its primary mandate of conducting elections within six months. Balen Shah, senior leader of Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which secured nearly two-thirds majority in the House of Representatives, is set to take oath of office and secrecy as new prime minister on Friday.
PM Karki began her address by paying tribute to those killed and injured during the September 8-9 Gen Z protest, which left 76 people dead, over 2,600 injured, and caused an estimated Rs 84 billion in losses. She also expressed sorrow over damage to heritage sites, businesses and private property, urging citizens to move forward with unity and resilience.
Where there is government, there is corruption!
The prime minister credited the Nepali Army, Nepal Police, and Armed Police Force for restoring order and ensuring election security despite significant setbacks during the unrest. She also acknowledged the role of civil servants, political parties, voters, and the international community.
Karki said the elections had set new benchmarks in security, transparency, cost-efficiency and timeliness, expressing hope that these standards would be institutionalised in future polls.
In her address, Prime Minister Sushila Karki emphasised a forward-looking national agenda for the new government, highlighting that the government would now prioritise ending corruption and ensuring accountability; strengthening good governance and institutional integrity; creating employment opportunities within the country to curb outward migration; accelerating economic recovery through business revival, reconstruction and investment-friendly policies; and delivering social justice in line with the aspirations of the Gen Z-led movement, while also committing to uphold the standards of transparency, security and cost-efficiency demonstrated during the elections.
She underscored that investigative bodies such as the Commission for the Investigation of Abuse of Authority and the Central Investigation Bureau had been allowed to function independently, leading to progress in long-pending corruption and criminal cases.
Karki said the elections reflected the aspirations of the Gen Z-led movement, which had called for systemic reforms and accountable governance. She expressed confidence that the incoming government—expected to be led by younger leadership—would carry forward this reform agenda.
She also referred to a December 9 agreement reached with Gen Z leaders, expressing hope that the next government would prioritise its implementation.
The prime minister also highlighted measures taken to revive the economy, including an integrated business recovery plan offering tax relief and support to industries affected by the unrest. Reconstruction of damaged infrastructure has also been prioritised, she said, to restore normalcy and investor confidence.
Karki announced that the report of a probe commission investigating excessive use of force, vandalism and looting during the Gen Z protests would be made public, with the next government expected to act on its recommendations.
In a note of accountability, she said her government did not claim perfection but had acted with “transparency, honesty and integrity,” taking full responsibility for any shortcomings. “As the interim government’s responsibility concludes, we look forward to welcoming a new government with a fresh mandate,” she said, expressing confidence in Nepal’s ability to overcome challenges and move toward stability and prosperity.
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