Nepal launches campaigns for first post-uprising polls

"This election will draw the future of the country," Sushila Karki, who is serving as interim prime minister until the March 5 vote, said ahead of the launch. The youth-led protests were triggered by a brief social media ban, but were fuelled by anger at economic stagnation and an ageing elite seen as out of touch. Over two days in September, 77 people were killed, scores were injured, hundreds of buildings set on fire -- including parliament, courts and a Hilton hotel -- and 73-year-old Marxist leader KP Sharma Oli ousted.