Kathmandu, 6 March: The Rastriya Swatantra Party led by Balendra Shah surged ahead in Nepal’s parliamentary elections as early vote counting showed the party leading in more than 100 constituencies, signalling a major shift in the Himalayan nation’s political landscape.
Preliminary results from the Election Commission of Nepal showed that RSP candidate Ranju Neupane (Darshana) secured victory in the Kathmandu-1 constituency, while Shah himself was leading former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the Jhapa-5 seat.
The polls mark Nepal’s first national election since the 2025 youth-led protests that toppled the previous government. The demonstrations, driven largely by Generation Z activists angered by corruption, unemployment and restrictions on social media platforms, triggered months of political turmoil and ultimately forced the resignation of the ruling coalition.
Election officials said voting concluded peacefully across most parts of the country, with preliminary estimates indicating about 60 percent voter turnout. Authorities highlighted the strong participation of young voters as a defining feature of the election.
Officiating Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said the vote had been conducted under unusual circumstances following last year’s unrest.
“This election was planned in special circumstances,” he said.
Election Commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai said cooperation among political parties, voters, the government and media ensured the successful completion of the polls.
“There were some doubts among the people about the success of the election, but due to effective cooperation from all sectors we were able to successfully conclude the elections,” Bhattarai said.
“Gen Z has been very much supportive in this election. Their participation has been positive both as candidates and voters.”
Meanwhile, KP Sharma Oli emphasised the need for stability following months of unrest.
“This election has to maintain peace and order and ensure the public that normalcy is back in the nation so that people can continue their business and activities without fear or restraints,” he told reporters.
India also welcomed the conduct of the elections and expressed hope for political stability in the neighbouring country.
“India has consistently supported peace, progress and stability in Nepal and looks forward to working with the new government to further strengthen our multifaceted ties.”
Nepal’s House of Representatives has 275 seats, of which 165 are elected directly through the first-past-the-post system, while the remaining 110 are allocated through proportional representation based on party vote share.
The rise of Shah’s RSP — a relatively new political force founded in 2022 — reflects growing frustration among younger voters with traditional political parties. Shah, a former rapper and ex-mayor of Kathmandu, built his political base through social media outreach and anti-establishment messaging, drawing strong support from urban youth.
Full results are expected after counting concludes nationwide.
