KATHMANDU: The Election Commission of Nepal has said that 16 new political parties are currently in the pipeline for official recognition following the recent Gen Z Movement.

According to the Commission, a total of 17 groups has submitted applications seeking registration as political parties after the Gen Z-led demonstrations.

Among them, the Shram Sanskriti Party led by Dharan Mayor Harka Sampang has already been formally recognized as a political party.

The remaining 16 applications are under review, said Commission spokesperson Suman Ghimire.

“An investigation is underway regarding these parties. Once the review is complete, we will proceed with the process and issue certificates of registration to those who meet the legal criteria,” Ghimire told reporters.

The list of applicants includes several new groups such as the Gatisheel Loktantrik Party led by Birendra Bahadur Basnet, owner of Buddha Air; the Nepal Nagarik Party led by Surendra Bhandari; and the Ujyalo Nepal Party led by Gyanendra Kumar Tamang, among others.

The Commission clarified that party registration is a routine procedure but has special significance this year due to the upcoming elections announced for March 5 next year .

To participate in those polls, all political parties must complete registration between November 17 and 26.