Nepal, Jan. 1 -- With the submission of closed lists under the Proportional Representation system, the election scheduled for March 5 now appears almost certain, provided no untoward incident occurs before polling day.

The coming together of three prominent forces-Rabi Lamichhane of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balendra Shah, and Kulman Ghising of Ujyalo Nepal-has added a new twist to Nepali politics, further complicating an already fluid electoral landscape.

And as such, the outcome of the March election has become increasingly difficult to predict. Political analysts say the tie-up among new and "alternative" forces has sent ripples across the political spectrum, forcing other parties to reassess the...