Virtual Voting to Select Ministers as PM Sushila Karki Plans Small Cabinet

Prime Minister Sushila Karki is preparing to form a small-sized cabinet. On Saturday, September 13, 2025 (27 Bhadra 2082), she held consultations with stakeholders in the morning and evening before making the decision. Earlier in the day, she met with injured protesters at various hospitals in Kathmandu, where many congratulated her. However, she urged people to wait until the end of her tenure to extend congratulations, saying she is currently focused on fulfilling her responsibilities.

Although she was expected to form a three-member cabinet on Friday evening, the plan was delayed. Meanwhile, the Gen-Z movement initiated a virtual voting process to select ministers, recommending candidates chosen through the online platform.

Gen-Z Pushes for Online-Selected Ministers

The Gen-Z group has already requested Om Prakash Aryal, legal advisor to Kathmandu Metropolitan Mayor Balen Shah, to serve as a minister. They also demanded one ministerial nominee from the Nepal Army. The group formally approached the Chief of Army Staff for a recommendation, but the army, after internal discussions, made it clear that it would not engage in political interference or endorse any names.

According to a senior army officer, “The Chief of Army Staff has stated that there will be no political intervention or recommendation. However, the Gen-Z group continues to press for a name, claiming army support.”

Gen-Z leader Sudan Gurung informed members that preparations for the virtual voting process had begun. Prior to nominating former Chief Justice Karki as Prime Minister, the group had conducted a virtual poll on Discord, where 50% of votes favored her. The online voting process is similar to polls conducted on X (Twitter) and Facebook.

At one point on Wednesday, over 10,000 people participated in the live discussion on Discord’s “Youth Against Corruption” group, which was also broadcast live on YouTube, Facebook, and other media outlets.

During these sessions, participants shared suggestions, asked questions, and received live updates. The same approach is now being used to select ministers. The group had not finalized names at the time this news was filed.

Political Parties Reject House Dissolution

While major political parties have accepted Sushila Karki as Prime Minister, they strongly oppose the dissolution of the House of Representatives. Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN-Maoist Centre issued official statements rejecting the decision.

Similarly, chief whips of eight political parties jointly opposed the President’s statement issued late on September 13, 2025 (27 Bhadra 2082), calling it unconstitutional and undemocratic. They demanded an immediate withdrawal, accusing the move of violating Article 76(7) of the Constitution and Supreme Court precedents.

Signatories included:

• Shyam Kumar Ghimire (Nepali Congress)
• Mahesh Kumar Bartaula (CPN-UML)
• Hitraj Pandey (CPN-Maoist Centre)
• Metmani Chaudhary (CPN-Unified Socialist)
• Ram Prakash Chaudhary (LSP Nepal)
• Birendra Prasad Mahato (JSP Nepal)
• Ranjita Shrestha (Naupa)
• Anita Devi (Janamat Party)

President Urges Unity for Upcoming Elections

President Ram Chandra Paudel issued an appeal on Saturday, urging parties to utilize this opportunity wisely, win public trust, and cooperate to ensure the elections scheduled for March 5, 2026 (21 Falgun 2082) are conducted peacefully.

In his statement, he said:
“A peaceful way out has been found after great difficulty in a very challenging and fearful time for the nation. The Constitution is intact, the parliamentary system is alive, and the federal democratic republic remains strong. Within six months, the people will get a chance to move forward on the path of a more advanced democracy through parliamentary elections.”