Nepal, April 7 -- The recent election came way earlier than expected. Former prime minister Sushila Karki deserves credit for securing a fresh mandate peacefully, even though it seemed highly unlikely in the immediate aftermath of the Gen Z protests. However, it's one of the initial and easier tasks on the long road to democracy.

When a regime is toppled, democracy is expected to bear fruit. In reality, it can go either direction. Periodic elections don't ensure democracy on their own, as seen in Russia, Venezuela and Singapore. Democracy can erode internally when elected leaders gradually weaken checks and balances and attack opponents, creating an uneven playing field. Political pluralism, institutional restraints, and uncertainty of p...