Kathmandu, Oct 17, 2025:
Nepal’s Prime Minister Sushila Karki on Friday assured the international community that the interim government is fully committed to conducting free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections within the next six months, and to handing over power to an elected government immediately after.
Addressing ambassadors, diplomats, and representatives of development partners in Kathmandu, Karki stated, “This non-political, transitional government has one sole and non-negotiable mandate—to hold impartial general elections to the House of Representatives on March 5 next year. Our tenure will not exceed six months, after which we will peacefully transfer power.”
She urged the international community to send election observers, noting that foreign monitoring has historically strengthened the credibility of Nepal’s democratic process. This was Karki’s first collective interaction with foreign diplomats since assuming office, though she had met several envoys individually earlier.
Highlighting her government’s preparations, Karki said all national resources are being mobilised to ensure security, legal readiness, and logistical support for credible polls. She reaffirmed the government’s backing of the Election Commission and its efforts to maintain stability through dialogue with political parties and youth-led movements, including the Gen-Z coalition.
Her remarks came amid growing criticism from opposition leaders K.P. Sharma Oli and Sher Bahadur Deuba, who accused the government of political bias. Responding to concerns over corruption probes into former prime ministers, Karki clarified that investigations are “credible, impartial, and aimed at proving no one is above the law.”
Acknowledging the extensive damage from last year’s Gen-Z protests, Karki sought international assistance for reconstruction, with losses estimated at over NPR 180 billion. “Rebuilding our nation is urgent,” she said. “We invite our partners to join hands in this effort.”
