New Delhi, Feb 18 (NationPress) As Nepal prepares for its upcoming general election on March 5, former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli is set to be among the candidates vying for leadership in the small Himalayan nation. This contrasts sharply with Bangladesh, where former premier Sheikh Hasina was forced to escape and seek asylum in India.

Both nations have experienced governmental upheaval due to youth-led protests; however, the extent of unrest appears to have been more pronounced in Nepal, as highlighted by various reports.

The turmoil in Nepal emerged last year when the government imposed a ban on 26 social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Snapchat, citing their lack of registration with local authorities.

Students and youth organizations rallied against the government, accusing it of attempting to stifle public criticism and dissent. Protests quickly spread from Kathmandu to various parts of Nepal.

Reports indicate that at least 19 individuals lost their lives and over 300 sustained injuries in confrontations with law enforcement. Although the government eventually lifted the ban on social media platforms, the damage had already been done.

The political landscape was left in disarray, with Oli resigning on September 9.

There were rumors that he had fled the country; however, it was later revealed that he and some associates had taken refuge in an army barracks in Shivapuri amid the peak of the Gen Z protests in September 2025.

The 73-year-old leader of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) is reportedly engaging in extensive grassroots campaigning, addressing citizens' concerns, and seeking their votes, as reported by the Kathmandu Post on Wednesday.

In contrast, a parliamentary election recently took place in Bangladesh without the presence of the 78-year-old Sheikh Hasina, who is currently barred from political activities and facing a death sentence while in exile.

Her departure in August 2024 followed a wave of intense protests and constitutional reform discussions that captured the public's attention.

With Hasina out of the picture, new political factions and alliances are emerging in an environment characterized by heightened security, conflicting narratives about legitimacy, and rigorous media coverage.

The outcomes of these elections will have significant implications for party alignments, constitutional reforms, and Bangladesh's foreign relations. The issues of domestic reconciliation and the legal status of exiled leaders are likely to remain contentious political topics. Reports of intimidation and violence against political opponents, particularly targeting Awami League supporters, have been prevalent, leaving minorities fearful after several instances of lynchings and brutal killings.

Both countries have witnessed violence stemming from youth protests that led to governmental changes and the dissolution of Parliaments, but the context and stakes differ markedly.

The interim government in Bangladesh is urging voters to participate not only in parliamentary elections but also in a national referendum concerning the July National Charter, a comprehensive set of constitutional reforms aimed at restoring institutional checks and balances.

Conversely, the electoral process in Nepal is primarily framed as a measure of political accountability and a means to restore a fully functioning legislature to address calls for change.

The youth movement in Nepal has been distinctly electoral, promoting new political entities and independent candidates who offer alternatives to the entrenched political elites.