Nepal’s Gen Z protesters have chosen their next interim Prime Minister through a vote conducted on the online platform Discord, following the resignation of Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli amid widespread anti-corruption protests.
The protests erupted after Oli’s government banned 26 social media platforms, sparking clashes that left at least 51 people dead and over 1,300 injured. The youth-led movement, organized through the Discord server “Youths Against Corruption,” debated and voted on leadership options online.
Former Chief Justice Sushila Karki emerged as the preferred candidate. She is known for her anti-corruption stance and is expected to be formally appointed by President Ram Chandra Paudel.
The decision has drawn international attention, highlighting the growing role of digital platforms in governance. While some see the Discord vote as a progressive approach to citizen engagement, others have raised concerns about the legitimacy and stability of decisions made through such unconventional methods.
Nepal’s political leaders and citizens now look to the appointment of an interim Prime Minister as a key step in restoring order and addressing the demands of the protesting public.
