Kathmandu, Dec. 1 -- A record number of political parties are contesting the midterm elections for the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5.

As the registration deadline ended on Sunday, 120 political parties applied with the Election Commission to contest the polls three months away. Of the 143 parties registered, 23 did not aspire to try their luck in the elections that are being held after Gen Z protests toppled then KP Sharma Oli government and subsequently led to the dissolution of the lower house.

The commission first called on political forces to be registered as parties and then asked them to apply to contest the March 5 elections.

"A record number of political parties have applied to contest the March 5 elections," s...