"The Curious Citizen: Exploring Politics Without the Noise" is designed to provide students and faculty with an open, safe and respectful space to explore political questions, build understanding, and engage thoughtfully with civic issues, free from social media noise, bipartisan agendas, or manipulated narratives. The idea is to sit together (because we are all confused) and address our questions (whether big or small) through evidence and open dialogue.
Kamal Dev Bhattarai is a faculty member at Thames International College and a senior journalist and author. He has written two books: Transition, on Nepal’s peace process, and Media and Democracy. He closely follows Nepal’s domestic politics and international relations. His work has appeared in international outlets such as South Asian Voices, The Wire, and The Diplomat.
Bhattarai will deliver a speech on the electoral system in light of the upcoming March 5 elections. What are the key electoral systems that Nepal has adopted since the first democratic elections in 1959 and in the elections held after 1990? Since 2017, Nepal has adopted a mixed electoral model—First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR)—for federal and provincial elections. How are parliamentarians elected through FPTP and PR, and how is the new parliament formed?
Event Details:
Date: February 22, 2026 (Sunday)
Time: 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM
Venue: Thames Auditorium