Nepal’s Electoral System: Challenges, Democratic Implications, and Reform Priorities

Nepal’s transition to a federal democratic republic following the 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the promulgation of the Constitution of Nepal (2015) marked a critical shift in the country’s electoral governance. Central to this transformation was the adoption of a mixed electoral system combining First- Past-the-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR), intended to balance political stability, geographic accountability, and inclusive representation. Drawing on constitutional provisions, electoral laws, official reports, public opinion surveys, and comparative democratic theory, this article provides a systematic analysis of the evolution, structure, and performance of Nepal’s current electoral system. The study finds that while the mixed system has significantly expanded descriptive representation particularly for women and historically marginalized groups it has not translated consistently into substantive representation or stable governance. Persistent party system fragmentation, weak coalition governance, elite dominance in candidate selection, rising electoral costs, and deficiencies in campaign finance regulation continue to undermine democratic accountability and public trust. Moreover, the complexities of federalism have intensified coordination challenges across federal, provincial, and local levels, further complicating electoral administration and governance effectiveness. Based on these findings, the article argues that Nepal’s democratic consolidation depends less on wholesale electoral redesign and more on targeted reforms that strengthen electoral integrity, institutional capacity, internal party democracy, and substantive inclusion. By situating Nepal’s experience within broader comparative insights, the article contributes to ongoing debates on mixed electoral systems in post-conflict and federal democracies and offers a phased reform roadmap to enhance democratic quality, legitimacy, and governance performance in Nepal.