Nepal's political system combines constitutional government, elected institutions and public administration. The Constitution of Nepal 2015, as amended, provides the framework for a federal democratic republic and describes Nepal as sovereign, secular, inclusive and socialism-oriented. Authority is distributed among the federal government, seven provincial governments and 753 local levels rather than being concentrated in one national administration. State institutions give public decisions their legal and administrative framework. Courts handle judicial functions, public bodies manage services and public funds, oversight institutions examine the exercise of authority, and security organisations carry out their assigned responsibilities. Elections provide the democratic process through which political representation is organized at federal, provincial and local levels. The Election Commission Nepal, commonly called the ECN, manages voter registration, candidate and party registration, polling, counting and publication of results. Voters generally need Nepali citizenship, must be at least 18 years old and must appear on the voter roll. The state dimension therefore concerns how authority and institutions are organized, while the election dimension concerns participation, candidates, voting and the establishment of results.
Politics in Nepal
Politics in Nepal operates within a sovereign, secular, inclusive and socialism-oriented federal democratic republic established by the Constitution of Nepal 2015, as amended. Political authority is exercised through the federal government, seven provincial governments and 753 local levels. Elections connect citizens with these levels, while public administration, courts, public finance, oversight bodies and security organisations carry out state functions.
Tip
Treat politics in Nepal as two linked questions: how public authority is organized and how political representation is established. Identify the relevant federal, provincial or local level before relying on an answer, and distinguish institutional responsibilities from election procedures.