The Election Commission has invited political parties for a discussion on October 16 regarding the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026. The meeting will also cover the National Assembly election due on February 3, 2026.

Mahadev Pantha, secretary of the commission, informed that the election body has sent the invitation to 29 political parties for the first round of talks. With 122 parties registered at the commission, only those represented in the dissolved House of Representatives, provincial assemblies, or local levels—including ward-level representatives—have been invited initially. Pantha said the approach was taken due to logistical constraints in hosting all parties simultaneously.

The National Assembly’s 19 members will complete their tenure on March 4, 2026, and as per electoral law, elections must be held at least one month before the term ends. Of the 19 positions, 18 will be filled through election, while one will be nominated by the President upon the government recommendation.

The commission has circulated an agenda covering the House and National Assembly elections along with other related issues.

The move comes nearly a month after the House was dissolved on September 12 following the Gen Z movement earlier in the month, and after criticism that neither the government nor the commission had held consultations with political parties since announcing the new election date.