From the margins to the ballot: Inclusive electoral participation in Nepal
Youth at a provincial deliberation event organized by Yuwa, one of International IDEA’s consortium partners, discussing inclusive youth participation in politics and barriers to political engagement. The event was held from 15 to 18 December 2024, in Pokhara City, Gandaki Province, Nepal. Credit: International IDEA
A consortium of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Nepal, supported by International IDEA, established a civil society platform to advocate for an electoral system that better enables women, Dalits and youth to assume political roles. The platform has helped build the capacity of Nepalese CSOs to advocate for citizens’ political rights. The project provides technical support to the Election Commission, advocates for legal and institutional reforms, counters misinformation and promotes digital civic education.
Extended in response to a youth-led protest movement and resulting early elections, the project has taken on renewed urgency, particularly for young people. It has already contributed to greater participation of Dalits and women in electoral processes. In 2025 the project convened civil society organizations, the Journalists Society for Parliamentary Affairs and electoral stakeholders at a critical moment to drive more inclusive reform debates, producing four major policy research reports on campaign financing, out-of-country voting, vacant seats reserved for Dalit women and Dalit representation in local governments in Madhesh Province.
The political issues were not much of a concern for me before. Now that I’m engaging in these kinds of events and paying attention to the current political climate, I’ve become more interested and want to stay informed about what’s happening in politics.
| Funding | European Union |
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