KATHMANDU: The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which has emerged as an alternative political force in Nepal, has fielded women in fewer than 10 percent of constituencies for the upcoming election.

Out of 164 constituencies where the party has registered candidates, only 16 are women, compared with 148 men. This means women account for just 9.75 percent of RSP’s candidates.

The figure falls well short of the constitutionally guaranteed provision of 33 percent women’s participation, raising questions about the party’s commitment to inclusive and proportional representation.

Across all 165 constituencies nationwide, a total of 3,484 candidates, men and women combined have registered for the election. Of them, only 395 are women. Among female candidates, 160 have filed their nominations as independents.

The overall numbers highlight the continued underrepresentation of women in electoral politics, even as new and reform oriented parties promise change in Nepal’s political culture.