Table of Contents
Why the Election Commission has opened observer applications
The Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) has officially called for national and international observers to monitor the parliamentary elections scheduled for March 5 2026.
The move comes amid a backdrop of political upheaval following the Gen Z-led protests in September 2025, which forced a change in government and accelerated the election timetable.
Bringing greater transparency, inclusivity and oversight is viewed as essential for legitimacy – hence the emphasis on observer accreditation now.
Furthermore, international actors are already signalling heightened interest. As noted by observers:
“The international community will be following our elections closely… The government must pave the way for the Election Commission to conduct elections through laws, logistics, and dialogue.” The Kathmandu Post
Who can apply & what the requirements are
National observers
Domestic organisations must apply by November 12 at either the ECN’s central office (for Kathmandu-based assignments) or the respective provincial offices (for outside the Valley).
Key applicant criteria:
- Valid organisational registration and statute renewal
- Prior election-observation experience, including submission of past observation reports
- Organisations that breached the election code or failed to submit reports in earlier missions are disqualified.
International observers
Foreign organisations are invited to apply via email to the ECN.
Requirements include:
- Official registration in their home country
- History of election-observation experience
- Complying with Nepal’s observer accreditation directives (for example, the 2022 “International Election Observers Accreditation (Supplementary) Directive”)
Domestic vs international observers – key differences
- Scope & deployment: Domestic observer groups may mobilise tens of thousands across polling sites; in the 2022 federal-provincial elections, 43 national organisations deployed close to 10,000 observers.
- International accreditation: Foreign agencies work through more stringent vetting and must carry identity cards (according to ECN directives) and abide by a special code of conduct.
- Historical participation: At the November 2022 polls, only four international observers attended (e.g., Asian Network for Free Elections, SAARC Human Rights Foundation, among them) while the number of national observers was markedly higher.
Looking back: what happened in the November 2022 elections
- The 2022 general and provincial elections saw a relatively low foreign-observer turnout: just four international organisations.
- Domestic observation, by contrast, involved 43 organisations and ≈10,000 observers on voting day.
- Issues flagged then included limited access for some observers, vote secrecy concerns, and enforcement of the election code of conduct.
Lessons learned include the importance of earlier accreditation, clearer frameworks and inclusivity especially with youth and diaspora voters.
What this means for electoral credibility in Nepal
The fact that “the Election Commission invites observers for March 5 polls” is itself a signal of the state’s commitment to free and fair elections.
Here are significant implications:
- Transparency & legitimacy: A larger observer presence (domestic + international) can increase the process’s credibility.
- Youth and diaspora engagement: The political landscape has already been shaken by Gen Z protests and calls for reform; credible oversight can help channel that energy into constructive participation.
- Geopolitical visibility: With Nepal being strategically located in South Asia, a well-run election observed by international agencies sends a strong signal regionally.
- Institutional trust: For the ECN, being seen to invite and vet observers strengthens its institutional independence in the eyes of citizens and parties alike.
Next steps for observer organisations
For any entity considering registration:
- Check eligibility deadlines: National and international applicants must act by November 12.
- Prepare documentation: Registration certificates, statutes, past reports, organisational CVs, proof of compliance with electoral code of conduct.
- Plan deployment strategy: For national observers – consider whether to cover Kathmandu or provinces; for international – anticipate accreditation procedures and local liaison protocols.
- Coordinate with the ECN: Download and follow official observer directives (see the 2022 Supplementary Directive) to ensure full compliance. election.gov.np
- Training & briefing: Observers must be briefed on voting process, counting protocol, code of conduct, and impartiality standards.
- Communicate findings: After election day, organisational reports (preliminary and final) should be ready – some regulatory frameworks demand submission within 15–30 days of the result. election.gov.np
When the Election Commission invites observers for March 5 polls, it opens a window of opportunity – for accountability, reform and democratic renewal. For Nepal, this election isn’t just another parliamentary contest; it’s a referendum of sorts on trust, institutions and a younger generation’s expectations.
Observers, both domestic and international, will play a pivotal role – not only watching ballots being cast, but helping ensure that citizens’ voices are heard, counted and respected. With the November 12 deadline approaching, the clock is ticking.
