PM Candidate Gagan Thapa Casts Vote in Nepal Polls, Calls for Mature and Stable Leadership

Voting for Nepal’s 2026 general election began on Thursday across all 77 districts, with senior leaders and candidates expressing confidence in the democratic process while millions of voters headed to polling stations to elect members of the House of Representatives.

President and prime ministerial candidate Gagan Thapa cast his vote at the Maiti Devi Mandir polling station in Kathmandu and voiced optimism about his party’s prospects while stressing the need for stable governance in the country.

Speaking to ANI after casting his ballot, Thapa said, "I'm quite excited, and I'm hoping for the best for my party. Nepal, at this point in time, needs very mature leadership, experienced as well as one that has an appetite for change."

Thapa is contesting a seat in the House of Representatives and recently made a significant strategic move by shifting from his former constituency, Kathmandu-4, to Sarlahi-4 in Madhesh Province.

What did Gagan Thapa say about Nepal’s stability and political leadership during the election?

The Nepali Congress leader also stressed the importance of recognising Nepal’s geopolitical and social realities.

"I know where we are situated. I know the diversity of Nepal. Politics needs to deliver. The government has to deliver. People have to feel that things cannot happen overnight, but positive change has started," Thapa said.

Addressing concerns about stability following recent periods of unrest, he added, "We will not allow anything like September 8 or 9 to happen."

Meanwhile, Nepali Congress parliamentary candidate Sachin Timalsena also expressed confidence in the electoral process and his party’s chances as voting continued.

Speaking to ANI, Timalsena said initial concerns about fairness and security had largely been addressed.

What did Sachin Timalsena say about fairness and security in the Nepal general election?

"There were a few issues. At first, people had doubts about whether the elections would be conducted in a fair manner or not. But I think we've done it decently well," he said.

Timalsena, who is contesting from Kathmandu Constituency-4 in Bagmati Province, said security had initially been a concern but the situation was under control.

"And the issues regarding security were there. But I think, as of now, we've done it pretty well. It's been amazing," he said.

The candidate said his campaign involved extensive outreach to voters across his constituency.

"I've gone to people. I've reached their houses. I've knocked on doors. I've been at places in my constituency. And the response I've had from the people was amazing. And I'm hopeful. I'm confident. Our people are confident. Our party is confident," Timalsena said.

What did Sachin Timalsena say about youth participation in the Nepal general election?

He also highlighted strong engagement from younger voters in the election.

"I think youth, in general, have been pretty excited about this election. They have come in with a lot of interest in politics. And that's how I see it. And they have been involved in all the discussions as well," he said.

"So, the participation of youth in this election has been unprecedented. That's what I believe it will be. If the youth choose a certain party as their leader or as their representative, the chances are that party will get elected,” he said.

Timalsena further said that a special convention held a month ago had helped reshape the party’s image.

"People have accepted that the Nepali Congress has transformed itself into a new, reloaded, reformed kind of a party. So, people have taken our party really, really positively," he said.

(With inputs from ANI)