Unless any force majeure circumstances dictate otherwise, the election of the federal House of Representatives, scheduled for 5 March, will take place on time. This election is undoubtedly more than a periodic ritual as it is the outcome of the unprecedented Gen Z uprising of September 2025, which not only toppled the KP Oli-led government but also shook the national psyche, established youth as central stakeholders in Nepali politics, and transformed good governance into a manifest national agenda.

Election campaigns are now happening rapidly. Manifestos of the contesting political parties are being unveiled. Social media is overflowing with electoral content. Yet, amid all these developments, a few pertinent questions deserve thoughtful consideration: What precisely are we creating with our votes? Are we securing the quality of governance through our voting? Are we solidifying the foundation for sustainable peace and prosperity?

It is worth considering for each and every voter that elections are not a one-day event of voting someone in and someone out. They are part of a broader socio-political ecosystem that affects the peace, freedom, prosperity and happiness of the entire population. There is a broad-based consensus that the ultimate outcome we seek through this election is good governance- a mandate of the Gen Z movement as well as one of the promises of the Constitution itself. It's crystal clear that it ultimately will depend on quality representation, which depends on our input: The vote.

Input: The vote

The vote is not just a right guaranteed under the Constitution and international human rights instruments such as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights 1966 (ICCPR), to which Nepal is a party. It is an act of exercising the sovereign power of the people. When we vote, we not only elect individuals and create a legitimate basis for governance but also implant the seed of social progress and prosperity.

That is why the quality of the vote, which is a result of informed voting, matters a lot. Voters decide whom to vote for by examining the manifestos, the credibility of the candidates, and the party's background or past records. In other words, the right to vote implies the responsibility to vet the integrity, competence and commitment of those who intend to govern us. ‘Vetting through voting’ is therefore not just rhetoric but the very essence of democratic citizenship. On the contrary, an uninformed vote, or a vote influenced by greed, fear, inducement, misinformation, or blind loyalty is harmful because such voting only fuels societal problems and instability.

Output: Representation

The input of votes generates the output of representation, i.e., lawmakers or leaders who hold public authority. The quality of the output is not random. It reflects the quality of the choices made by voters and the environment in which those choices are made. If the process of selecting candidates becomes arbitrary, if money and muscle power influence the electoral process, and if misinformation dominates the electoral discussions and voters' choices, then the output will definitely be defective. Conditions such as security for fearless voting and inclusivity that accommodate the needs of those voters requiring special consideration also contribute to quality voting.

Every voter needs to be fully informed that the House to be elected is not a ceremonial one. It possesses ample constitutional powers. It debates the nation’s direction and priorities. It makes and changes laws, and amends the Constitution. It forms a government and demands accountability. It approves the national budget and oversees public spending. It deliberates on pressing policy issues and channels the people’s hopes as well as frustrations.

Outcome: Governance

The outcome, after representation, is governance itself. But, bad or good governance depends on the quality of the representation. Ultimately, the overall functioning of democracy depends on the performance of the representatives. For better outcomes, we need to ask: Do our representatives contribute substantively to law-making? Do they respect the shared ideology and values reflected in the Constitution? Do they hold the executive accountable through constructive roles? Do they avoid corrupt practices? Do they uphold the rule of law? Do they listen to the voices of the marginalised?

While effective representation contributes to socio-economic justice, rule of law and human rights, the failure of representation or its compromise on the other hand erodes democratic values leading to multifaceted cycles of conflicts. The story of Nepal’s democracy since 1990 has been marked by consistent failure to provide stable governance, the prevalence of corruption, and a culture of impunity fuelling the frustrations of people. These are outcomes of systemic failures, which include our flawed electoral processes, uninformed voting, and ineffective representation.

Civic responsibility to vet

The right to vote, therefore, should never be taken lightly. The failure to use this right judiciously can eventually be counterproductive to ourselves. The responsibility before us is paramount. We must choose candidates who draw their energy not from populism, manipulation, deception, lies and hostility, but from simplicity, integrity, self-reflection and truthfulness.

An ideal candidate gives up the psychology of ‘I must win at any cost’. They see elections as a natural democratic contest and participate in that contest without excessive anxiety over results.

Before deciding whom to vote for, let's not forget to scrutinise closely: Is the candidate presenting clearer plans, or merely attacking others? How relevant and coherent are the party’s policies, principles and commitments? Is the focus of candidates and parties on exploiting grievances without offering policy solutions? Do previous actions corroborate present promises? What are the sources of their campaign financing? Such scrutiny is important because democracy is not strengthened simply by louder promises, but by a deeper sense of accountability internalised by those in power.

As this election is a result of the Gen Z movement aimed at combating corruption, lack of good governance, discrimination and exclusion, a more informed approach to the ballot is highly desirable. The ultimate form of vetting takes place in the secrecy of the ballot box. The foremost civic responsibility of voters is to refrain from offering political rewards or votes to those with a blotched record. This election is an opportunity to delegitimise the criminalisation of politics and the politicisation of crimes.