KATHMANDU, Feb 25, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - Nepal's interim government has said preparations are on track for parliamentary elections next week, the first since a deadly 2025 uprising, urging voters to exercise their right "without fear".

The Himalayan republic of 30 million people holds elections on March 5, less than six months after youth-led anti-corruption protests toppled the previous government.

The unrest killed at least 77 people and left parliament in flames.

"The government will leave no stone unturned to conduct the election in a clean, fair, fearless, and peaceful manner," Sushila Karki, the interim prime minister, said late Tuesday.

"I urge all citizens to exercise their voting rights with confidence and without any fear."

The September 2025 violence was the worst since a decade-long civil war ended in a 2006 peace deal that abolished the monarchy and brought Maoist insurgents into government.

Protests were triggered by a brief social media ban, but were fuelled by anger at economic stagnation and an ageing elite seen as out of touch.

Nearly 19 million people have registered to vote, including 800,000 taking part for the first time.

They will elect members to the 275-seat House of Representatives, the lower house, with 165 via a direct vote and 110 through proportional representation.

Election Commission official Suman Ghimire told AFP the body was in its "final stage of election preparation".

Ghimire said support from other nations included neighbouring China and India.

China, as well as Japan, had sent "economic assistance", Ghimire said, without giving a figure, while Indian aid included 86 pickup vans "to transport election materials".

More than 60 trucks -- as well as helicopters for remote snowbound mountain regions -- have been used to transport election materials, he said.

More than 3,400 candidates are competing in the direct vote, 30 percent aged under 40.

"An election atmosphere is taking shape," said Kritika Mishra, 23, a prospective voter in Nepal's southern Sarlahi district. "Candidates are actively campaigning."