In September, days of deadly protests in Nepal — sparked by a ban on social media but more broadly driven by anger at corruption, economic hardship and inequality — forced Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli to resign , clearing the way for an interim leader to take charge and call fresh elections for March 2026. This upheaval mirrors broader regional trends. South Asia has witnessed waves of political movements over the past five years that have reshaped power structures and governance. In August 2024, mass protests in Bangladesh — most immediately over government job favoritism but more broadly over corruption, suppression of dissent and the high cost of living — prompted the resignation of long-serving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina . An interim administration is now preparing for elections in February 2026.