Nepal sets March 5 vote, restrictions eased as interim gov't takes charge

"Nepal will vote in early March, says the president, as an interim government headed by the country's first female prime minister takes charge after historic public protests. Hours after appointing former chief justice and anticorruption figure Sushila Karki as the new head of government, President Ramchandra Paudel announced in a statement late on Friday that the 275-seat parliament has been dissolved and elections are fixed for March 5."

"Authorities began easing restrictions on Saturday, with curfew and prohibitory orders lifted in the capital, Kathmandu, though sensitive areas remain off-limits to the public. The protests evolved into a broader movement against alleged corruption and nepotism among the political elite, with demonstrators setting fire to the parliament, the residences of top politicians, and other public buildings, and forcing Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to step down."

"At least 51 people, including 21 protesters, nine prisoners, three police officers and 18 others, were killed in protests since Monday, police said. About 1,000 prisoners who escaped from multiple jails countrywide were returned, but over 12,500 others remain on the run, according to the police. The anger among Nepalese protesters was also rooted in economic malaise, with many young people dissatisfied with how they struggle to get by as political leaders and their offspring enjoy luxurious lifestyles."

Sushila Karki, a former chief justice and anticorruption figure, was appointed as Nepal's interim prime minister and the 275-seat parliament was dissolved with elections set for March 5. Widespread Gen Z-led protests followed a government social media ban and expanded into a movement against alleged corruption and nepotism among the political elite. Demonstrators set fire to parliament and politicians' residences and forced Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli to step down. Authorities began lifting curfews and prohibitory orders in Kathmandu while keeping sensitive areas restricted. At least 51 people died, thousands of prisoners escaped and thousands of youths cited unemployment and economic hardship.

Read at www.aljazeera.com