Kathmandu,  – For the first time in Nepal, sexual and gender minority (SGM) communities have officially entered the electoral arena by registering their own candidates.

On Mangsir 9, the newly formed Inclusive Socialist Party was registered at the Election Commission under the leadership of Numa Limbu, who identifies as a third-gender woman. The party’s goal is to ensure representation for minority communities across all state institutions.

Speaking to the press, Numa Limbu said, “We have fielded five candidates for direct elections and seven to eight for proportional representation seats. Participating in elections and presenting ourselves to the public is a major achievement for our community.”

Limbu herself has registered her candidacy from Morang–4, emphasizing that she aims to secure rights and fair treatment for her community, ensuring that sexual and gender minorities are recognized as full members of society. She also stressed that the election provides an opportunity to break social myths that minority communities only live on the streets or engage in sex work.

Other candidates from the SGM community include:

• Devendra Bahadur Khatri (Madhu) – registered from Rupandehi–2, identifying as a gay man. Khatri highlighted the importance of gaining social visibility and political recognition for minority communities.
• Surendra Pandey – registered from Kathmandu–1, notable for being the first person in Nepal to legally register a same-sex marriage. Pandey stated his candidacy aims to challenge patriarchal norms and advocate for equal treatment.
• Binod Lama (Konika) – registered from Kavre–1, also identifying as a third-gender woman, emphasizing the neglect of minority issues by major parties.
• Purnachand Paudel – planning to contest from Kathmandu–10, stressing that his participation is intended to amplify minority voices in society.
• Pinky Rai – attempted to register from Okhaldhunga–1 but faced legal obstacles due to her citizenship listing as male, despite identifying as a third-gender woman. Election officials noted that registration could proceed if local ward recommendations are received.

Numa Limbu criticized major political parties for ignoring SGM issues. “While women and indigenous communities are partially included, sexual and gender minorities have been excluded. This compelled us to form our own party and participate in the elections,” she said.

Candidates stressed that their participation not only asserts the community’s presence but also challenges persistent social discrimination and violence. As Nepal heads toward the 21st Falgun elections, these pioneering candidates are setting a precedent for political representation of sexual and gender minorities.