A high-level delegation from the Elections Commission of Maldives has concluded an official observation mission to the Third House of Representatives Elections in the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal, held in March 2026.

 

The delegation, led by ECM President Mohamed Zahid and Commission Member Hassan Zakariyya, undertook the mission at the invitation of the Election Commission of Nepal, observing electoral processes in Kathmandu and surrounding districts.

 

 

The elections mark Nepal’s third parliamentary vote since the adoption of the Constitution of Nepal 2015. The country follows a mixed electoral system to fill 275 seats in the House of Representatives, with 165 members elected through first-past-the-post constituencies and 110 through proportional representation.

 

During the mission, the ECM delegation attended technical briefings on Nepal’s electoral framework, including constitutional safeguards, voter registration systems, and enforcement of the Election Code of Conduct. Field observations focused on the distribution of election materials and the preparedness of district-level authorities.

 

On Election Day, the delegation observed key stages of the voting process, including the opening of polling stations, ballot casting procedures, voter flow management, and the initial administrative stages of vote counting.

 

As part of the visit, President Mohamed Zahid and Commission Member Hassan Zakariyya also held a high-level meeting with His Excellency Ram Prasad Bhandari, Acting Chief Election Commissioner of the ECN, in Kathmandu. The meeting provided an opportunity to exchange views on electoral governance, legal frameworks, and operational practices, while emphasizing the importance of international cooperation and knowledge-sharing between election management bodies.

 

In a statement, the ECM noted that the mission provided valuable insights into the management of large-scale, multi-party elections and the implementation of a mixed electoral system. It added that the visit further strengthened institutional ties between the two commissions and supports ongoing efforts to enhance transparency, professionalism, and electoral integrity in the Maldives.