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We’re thrilled to bring you our latest edition of Nepali Dias Express, your trusted weekly digest of what’s happening back home, why it matters, and how it connects to Nepalis living around the world.

Nepali News

1. When Gen Z Forced an Election, Nepal Bent the Law

Nepal’s Gen Z toppled the government, demanded elections, and then realized; oops, they weren’t even registered to vote. Normally, that’s the end of the story: election announced, new voter registration locked, better luck next cycle.

But this time, the Constitution stepped in with Article 114’s ordinance power. The government used it, issued the Voter List (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2082, and voilà; Gen Z gets to register even after the date of election was announced. A whole generation that sparked the uprising now actually gets to cast a ballot.

Democracy, for once, didn’t miss the memo.

(Scroll down for our deep dive on how this legal magic worked.)

2. PM Karki: Don’t Look at Me, I’m Just the Babysitter

Freshly installed PM Sushila Karki finally addressed the nation, and her message to the Gen Z crowd was basically: “I feel you, but changing the constitution is above my power.”

Some youth want a directly elected president instead of the same old parliamentary shuffle. But Karki reminded everyone that constitutional amendments need a two-thirds parliament majority; and, tiny detail, Parliament doesn’t exist right now.

Her priorities are to hold elections by March 5, 2026, clean up some corruption, and investigate why 74 protesters are dead. For big changes, we will have to “Wait for the new Parliament”

So basically, this government is the substitute teacher. It’ll hand out worksheets and maybe confiscate a few slingshots, but don’t expect it to rewrite the syllabus.

3. Gold: The New Boss Level of Luxury

Gold has officially crossed the Rs 220,000 per tola mark, reaching Rs.222,500 (as of September 26, 2025.) Remember when it used to be a “luxury” item, a symbol of status and celebration? Well, now it’s reached a whole new level; the kind where even looking at a jewelry shop feels expensive.

And if you think this price tag will cool down Nepal’s obsession with gold, think again. Weddings will still sparkle, parents will still panic, and jewelers will still grin. So to every couple tying the knot this year: may your marriage be priceless, because your wedding jewelry definitely won’t be.

4. Protests Wiped 5% of Nepal’s GDP

According to the Confederation of Nepalese Industries (CNI), the Gen Z protests wiped nearly 5% of GDP. Yes, five percent.

CNI’s president sounded less like an economist and more like a tired parent when he said something along the lines of: “The private sector gets attacked in every agitation. Can we, maybe, stop doing that?”

Investors are spooked, factories burned, and once again, everyone’s preaching about “entrepreneurship” while watching billions go up in literal smoke.

Global News

1. US: “Israel Will Play the World Cup, Like It or Not”

The UN has gone as far as calling for Israel to be banned from international football; and yes, that includes the 2026 World Cup. Spain has even threatened to boycott the tournament if Israel is allowed to play.

Meanwhile, the US (one of the host nations) isn’t even pretending to be neutral. A State Department spokesperson flat-out declared: “We will absolutely work to fully stop any effort to attempt to ban Israel.”

Now all eyes are on UEFA. Do they keep Israel and risk losing Spain, the reigning Euro champions? Or ban Israel and pick a fight with the United States, co-host of the World Cup?

Somebody please check the UEFA president’s blood pressure. Forget penalty shootouts, this is what you call a truly high-pressure situation.

2. Trump vs. Tylenol: Because Why Not

Donald Trump just told pregnant women to avoid Tylenol, claiming it causes autism. Doctors immediately face-palmed. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists called it “dangerous oversimplification.” The UK health secretary added: “I trust doctors over President Trump, frankly.”

The FDA tried to soften the blow, saying the science is “inconclusive.” The unofficial translation is: please don’t let medical advice be crowd-sourced from a guy whose last health hack was bleach injections to fight Covid.

3. Sarkozy Sentenced; Again

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy just got five years in prison for conspiring to take millions in illicit funds from Gaddafi’s Libya. He insists he’s innocent and swears he’ll fight to his “last breath.”

France’s collective reaction was somewhere between “finally” and “are we really surprised?” Sarkozy now joins the elite club of ex-presidents who’ve spent more time in court than in office.

Closing Thought

Nepal bent the law so Gen Z could vote. The US bent over backwards to keep Israel in football. And Trump bent science so far that it snapped. Somewhere between all this bending, the only thing not flexible is your festive bill; because gold’s still north of Rs 222,500.

DEEP DIVE: When Gen Z Forced an Election, Nepal Changed the Law to Let Them Vote

No one really expected Nepal’s political calendar to be ripped apart in a matter of weeks. One day, the country’s Gen Z was in the streets chanting against corruption and inertia; the next, the government had collapsed and a snap election was on the horizon. It felt like the kind of twist usually reserved for political thrillers, not Kathmandu’s Singha Durbar.

And the problem is, the very generation that had ignited this transformation; the students, the young professionals, the teenagers barely crossing into adulthood, weren’t even ready to vote. Many of them had never applied for a voter ID. Their names weren’t in the official voter rolls.

Under normal circumstances, that would have been the end of the story. Election law in Nepal has always been clear: once an election date is announced, new voters cannot register. Period.

But this time was different.

The Legal Roadblock

To understand why, let’s rewind to the Voter List Act, 2073 (2017). Section 4 of this Act spells out how the voter roll, the official register of who is eligible to cast a ballot, must be managed

The Act gives the Election Commission authority to collect and update the roll, but with a hard stop: once the election date is declared, no new registrations are allowed.

This rule isn’t unusual. Many democracies close voter registration well before polling day to avoid chaos. It ensures the logistics of printing ballots, assigning polling stations, and training staff run smoothly.

But the problem is; the Gen Z uprising wasn’t part of anyone’s timeline. These weren’t routine elections. Parliament was dissolved abruptly, elections were announced at breakneck speed, and suddenly a wave of first-time voters; the same youth who had triggered the upheaval, were staring at a locked door.

The Constitutional Escape Hatch

This is where Nepal’s Constitution stepped in. Specifically, Article 114.

Article 114(1) states that when Parliament is not in session, the President may issue an ordinance on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers if immediate action is necessary. 

In simpler terms: when lawmakers are absent, the executive can push out a temporary law that has the same force as an Act, subject to later approval or lapse

It’s not a power to be used lightly. Ordinances are meant for emergencies, not routine governance. But given the sudden dissolution of Parliament and the urgency of preparing for elections, this was the only tool left.

And that’s exactly what the government used.

The Ordinance of 2082

In Ashoj 2082, the government issued the Voter List (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2082. This ordinance inserted a brand-new clause; Sub-section (2a) into Section 4 of the Voter List Act

Nepal Voter-Roll-Act-2017

Here’s the crucial line:

“Notwithstanding anything in Sub-section (2), if the House of Representatives is dissolved before its term is complete and the election date is announced, the Election Commission may prescribe a period for the collection, registration, and updating of the voter list.”

What this means is historic. For the first time, Nepal recognized that extraordinary political circumstances require extraordinary flexibility. The law now allowed the Election Commission to reopen voter registration, even after the election date was declared.

This has now opened way for eligible Gen Z to cast a vote. 

Why It Matters So Much

Think about it. The youth were the catalysts. They were the ones holding placards, organizing sit-ins, and taking the risks that eventually toppled the government. To turn around and tell them, “Sorry, you can’t actually cast a ballot” would have been a betrayal.

Instead, the state acknowledged reality: democracy isn’t just about rigid procedures, it’s about fairness. By extending voter registration, Nepal gave legitimacy to the very movement that had shaken the establishment.

And the numbers matter too. Nepal’s demographic pyramid is youth-heavy. Over 20% of the population is aged 16-25. Even a few hundred thousand new Gen Z voters could swing results in key constituencies. Including them could truly change the math of the election.

The Balance Between Law and Legitimacy

Critics will argue this sets a dangerous precedent. After all, voter lists exist for a reason. Extending registration windows after election dates are announced can create logistical headaches. It opens the door to accusations of political manipulation.

But here’s the counterpoint: the Constitution anticipated emergencies. That’s why Article 114 exists. It was never meant to replace the legislature, but to ensure governance doesn’t freeze when extraordinary events unfold.

In this case, the ordinance was a democratic necessity. By anchoring the ordinance in constitutional authority and limiting its scope to snap elections after parliamentary dissolution, the government created a narrow, credible exception rather than a free-for-all.

The Gen Z Effect

For Gen Z, this ordinance is more than a technical fix. It’s a recognition of their political power. Until now, older generations dominated Nepal’s political space. The 1990 generation fought for democracy. The 2006 generation fought for the republic. Now, the 2025 generation; largely Gen Z, has forced an election.

By registering en masse, they could redefine party strategies. Political manifestos will need to address digital rights, jobs, climate, and education with fresh urgency. Leaders who ignore youth demands risk irrelevance.

The Diaspora Angle

For the Nepali diaspora watching from abroad, this moment hits home. Many of us remember our first vote; the pride, the symbolism of finally shaping our country’s direction. For Gen Z back home, that right was almost stolen by timing and technicality.

The ordinance ensured that didn’t happen. It’s a reminder of how fragile and precious democratic rights are. And it sparks a broader question for the diaspora: if laws can adapt so quickly for in-country youth, why not for Nepalis abroad? Diaspora voting remains an unfulfilled promise.

What Comes Next

The ordinance is temporary. Under Article 114, it must be tabled in Parliament once the legislature reconvenes. If lawmakers fail to endorse it, it lapses. That means this youth-friendly reform isn’t guaranteed to last.

Civil society, student unions, and even diaspora voices will need to push for its conversion into a permanent amendment of the Voter List Act. Because this won’t be the last time Nepal faces political turbulence.

Final Thoughts: A Generation Recognized

In the end, the story of Gen Z and the voter roll isn’t one of exclusion, but of recognition.

The problem was: voter List Act, 2073 barred new registration after election dates.

The solution we came up with is: Voter List (First Amendment) Ordinance, 2082, enabled post-announcement registration.

All this because Article 114 of the Constitution gave the legal backbone.

This legal patch ensured that those who changed Nepal’s political trajectory will also decide its electoral future.

Democracy is about voices being heard. For Nepal’s Gen Z, the ordinance guaranteed that their chants on the streets will be echoed at the ballot box.

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