Nepal’s early vote count puts ex-rapper’s party ahead
Political shifts reflect ongoing public discontent
Nepal’s general election results, as of Friday morning, indicated a strong showing for Balendra Shah’s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party. The party was leading in 37 parliamentary seats, significantly surpassing its competitors, notably the ex-premier K P Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist – UML), which held three seats. Meanwhile, the Nepali Congress, led by Gagan Thapa, managed five seats. These early trends, released by the election commission, suggest a potential shift in the political landscape.
Shah, 35, former mayor of Kathmandu, has emerged as a prominent figure in the race for prime minister. His campaign has resonated with a broad demographic, particularly younger voters seeking transformative change. Despite facing off against Oli, 74, in the Jhapa 5 constituency near the Indian border, Shah’s ability to connect with grassroots movements and digital communities has bolstered his position. The election results could finalize by late Friday or early Saturday, according to officials.
With 275 seats in the lower house of parliament, 165 are currently being counted through direct voting, while the remaining 110 will be allocated via proportional representation. Nepal, a nation of 30 million people situated between China and India, has struggled with political instability for decades. This instability has hindered its agrarian economy, increased unemployment, and been worsened by widespread corruption. The situation reached a boiling point in September when a social media ban sparked mass protests, resulting in clashes and deaths that ultimately led to Oli’s resignation.
Results are likely to be clear by Friday evening or Saturday, officials said.
