Nepal Picks New PM on Discord as Gen Z Protesters Rewrite Politics Online

Kathmandu, September 13, 2025 — In an unprecedented move, Nepal’s Gen Z protesters have used Discord to vote for their preferred interim prime minister, nominating former Chief Justice Sushila Karki through a server called Youths Against Corruption. More than 130,000 members joined the digital platform to debate, fact-check, and vote on leadership choices.

The online selection comes after ten days of turmoil that saw Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli resign following mass protests against the government’s sudden ban on 26 social media platforms.

The crackdown, seen as censorship, ignited wider anger over corruption and governance, leading to violent clashes, multiple deaths, and the dissolution of parliament. Fresh elections have been set for March 5, 2026.

On Discord, young Nepalese turned what is usually a gaming chat app into a digital parliament, with structured channels for policy debate, candidate vetting, and voting. While the result is non-binding, the process underscores a generational shift — using tech to demand transparency, accountability, and participatory democracy.

Karki is now expected to meet the President and army officials, raising the question: will Nepal’s first crowdsourced nomination via Discord translate into real political power?