Major political parties and prominent leaders across Nepal filed their candidacies for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, on Thursday, marking a decisive moment in the election process.

Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) chairman Rabi Lamichhane registered his candidacy from Chitwan-2 through a proxy, as he was unable to appear in person due to ongoing legal proceedings in a cooperative fraud case at the Parsa District Court. Deviram Bhandari, assistant election officer of Chitwan-2, confirmed the nomination. Lamichhane, a former home minister, was elected from the same constituency in 2022 and later won the by-election held after the Supreme Court annulled his parliamentary position over citizenship-related procedural lapses.

In Jhapa-5, former prime minister and CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli filed his candidacy, setting the stage for one of the most high-profile contests of the election. He will face Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, former mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and a senior RSP leader. The RSP has projected Balen as a potential future prime minister.

Elsewhere, Gagan Kumar Thapa, president of Nepali Congress, registered his candidacy from Sarlahi-4 through a proxy, citing engagements related to ticket distribution. His nomination was filed by provincial assembly member Birendra Singh. The constituency has also seen nominations from RSP’s Amaresh Kumar Singh, among others.

RSP co-general secretary Bhupdev Shah filed his candidacy from Achham-2, vowing to challenge what he described as long-standing neglect of the district. Shah previously served as personal secretary to former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah. In Gorkha-1, RSP candidate Sudhan Gurung, known for his association with the Gen Z movement, also registered his nomination.

In Chitwan, the RSP fielded Sobita Gautam in Chitwan-3 and Hari Dhakal in Chitwan-1, while Lamichhane remains the party’s candidate in Chitwan-2. Renu Dahal, former mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan city has filed her candidacy from Chitwan-3.

While Harka Sampang, former mayor of Dharan submetropolis and chair of Shram Sanskriti Party, filed candidacy from Sunsari-1, and Kulman Ghising, chair of Ujyalo Nepal Party, filed candidacy from Kathmandu-3.

Several senior leaders from other parties also entered the race. Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala filed his candidacy from Morang-6, while party general secretary Pradeep Paudel registered his nomination from Kathmandu-5, where he will again face CPN-UML leader Ishwar Pokharel. Janamat Party chair CK Raut filed from Saptari-2, and former deputy prime minister Vijay Kumar Gachchhadar registered his candidacy from Sunsari-3.

Former prime minister and Nepali Communist Party coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal filed his candidacy from Rukum East, declaring that the party’s headquarters would now be based there as part of a broader political campaign.

With nominations under way nationwide, analysts say the entry of heavyweight leaders and emerging political figures has set the stage for a fiercely competitive election, with several constituencies expected to witness direct and closely followed contests.