KATHMANDU, Dec 5: A group of prominent civil society leaders has called on all stakeholders including the government to ensure that the upcoming national elections are held on the scheduled date, warning that any delay could push the country towards prolonged instability.
Issuing a public appeal on Friday, the group stressed that all sides must work to remove obstacles and focus entirely on holding the elections on March 5, 2026. They argued that timely polls are essential to keep the constitutional process alive and to provide political parties with “unhampered and meaningful momentum.”
The appeal comes as the country continues to grapple with a sensitive political environment following the “Gen-Z movement” of 8–9 September. The statement, issued by 29 civil society leaders, said that it is now the collective responsibility of the government, political parties, youth and the wider citizenry to restore stability and predictability.
“At a time when the state is weakened, it is important not to place demands on the government that are beyond its mandate and capacity,” the appeal stated, noting that the caretaker administration’s primary task is to conduct elections.
The signatories cautioned that attempts driven by vested interests, as well as misinformation and rumours, would only further weaken national stability.
The civil society group also warned of “chaos and anarchy” if the government fails to conduct the polls on time, emphasising the need to safeguard the Constitution and the gains made under it. They echoed demands raised during the Gen-Z protests, calling for an end to corruption, nepotism, partisanship and misgovernance.
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Urging the government and the Election Commission to ensure an environment that is free, fair, credible and without fear, the leaders said that only a successful election would confer legitimacy on the process. They also pledged continued civic vigilance to ensure that nothing undermines the growing momentum for the polls.
Appealing to citizens, political forces, civil society, media, the Gen-Z community and professionals from all sectors, they called for collective efforts to make the March 5 elections successful. “Our country’s stability depends on it,” the statement said.
The appeal was issued by former ambassador and educationist Kedar Bhakta Mathema on behalf of 28 other civil society leaders. They include Archana Thapa, Bhojraj Pokhrel, Bijaya Kant Karna, Bijaya Timilsina, Birendra Prasad Mishra, Chandrakishore, Charan Prasai, Dipendra Jha, Dovan Rai, Gajadhar Sunar, Geja Sharma Wagle and Hari Sharma.
Also among the signatories are Indra Adhikari, J B Biswakarma, Kanak Mani Dixit, Khagendra Sangraula, Krishna Khanal, Krishna Pokhrel, Mahesh Maskey, Pradip Khatiwada, Rajendra Dahal, Stella Tamang, Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Surya Dhungel, Sushil Pyakurel, Tula Narayan Shah, Uddhab Pyakurel and Vidhyadhar Mallik.
Full Text of the Appeal
Public Appeal from Civil Society on Holding of Elections on Schedule
5 December 2025, Kathmandu
With the country in a sensitive and complex situation following the ‘Gen-Z movement’ of 8-9 September, it is the responsibility of the Nepal Government, political parties, the youth, as well as the rest of us citizens, to bring the polity back to stability and predictability.
At a time when the state is weakened, it is important not to make demands on the Government that are beyond its mandate and capacity. The current Government has been formed to hold elections, and its work should not be hampered by demands based on vested political, collective, or individual interests. Such demands, as well as attempts to spread falsehoods and suspicions, will only serve to further weaken our nation.
All of us need to be concerned with the kind of outcome should this Government fail in organising the elections on the scheduled date. The resulting chaos and anarchy would certainly extend into the long term.
We need to protect the Constitution and the advances achieved under its umbrella, and we must also end all anti-people trends such as corruption, nepotism, partisanship and mal-governance, ills that were targeted by the Gen-Z activists. In order to ensure good governance, we must work to clear all obstacles and focus entirely on the holding of elections on 6 March 2026. Only the medium of elections can keep the constitutional process alive as well as give unhampered and meaningful momentum to the political parties.
We hereby request the Government and the Election Commission to ensure that the upcoming polls are held under conditions that are free, fair, and credible and without fear. Keeping in mind that only a successful election will justify its legitimacy, the Government must put all its efforts and activities into fulfilling that obligation. Meanwhile, we citizens will remain vigilant that nothing is done to mar the momentum that is developing for the elections.
We ask the citizens at large, political forces, civil society, media, the Gen-Z community, professionals from different walks, and all other responsible sections to contribute to making the 6 March elections free, fair and successful. Our country’s stability depends on it.
Presented on behalf of the following citizens by Kedar Bhakta Mathema:
Archana Thapa, Bhojraj Pokhrel, Bijaya Kant Karna, Bijaya Timilsina. Birendra Prasad Mishra, Chandrakishore, Charan Prasai, Dipendra Jha, Dovan Rai, Gajadhar Sunar, Geja Sharma Wagle, Hari Sharma, Indra Adhikari, J.B. Biswakarma, Kanak Mani Dixit, Kedar Bhakta Mathema, Khagendra Sangraula, Krishna Khanal, Krishna Pokhrel, Mahesh Maskey, Pradip Khatiwada, Rajendra Dahal, Stella Tamang, Subodh Raj Pyakurel, Surya Dhungel, Sushil Pyakurel, Tula Narayan Shah, Uddhab Pyakurel, Vidhyadhar Mallik.
