Nepal’s 2026 general election results have begun to take shape as early vote counting shows a strong performance by the newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP). The party, led by former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, has emerged as the early frontrunner in the parliamentary polls. Initial counting indicates that RSP candidates are leading in 94 constituencies across the country. The surge reflects growing public support for new political forces following last year’s youth-led protests that reshaped Nepal’s political landscape.
Meanwhile, traditional political parties have secured fewer early leads. The Nepali Congress has won one seat so far and currently leads in ten other constituencies. The Communist Party of Nepal–Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML) is leading in seven constituencies. Candidates from the Nepali Communist Party are also ahead in nine constituencies, according to early reports from local media. Overall, 67 political parties are competing nationwide for the 165 first-past-the-post seats in the House of Representatives. The vote counting process continues and final results may take several days to complete.
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Balendra Shah’s RSP surges ahead in dozens of constituencies
The RSP’s rise has drawn particular attention because it follows the nationwide Gen-Z protests that erupted in Nepal last September. Those demonstrations led to the resignation of the government and triggered the current elections. Riding on the momentum of that political movement, the RSP has gained popularity among young voters and urban populations. Early figures suggest the party leads in several constituencies across all seven provinces, strengthening its position in the ongoing election race.
One of the most closely watched contests is in Jhapa-5. Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, currently leads against former prime minister KP Sharma Oli. Early counting showed Shah receiving 6,090 votes while Oli had secured 2,087 votes. The outcome of this contest could significantly influence Nepal’s political balance.
However, election authorities still face logistical challenges in remote areas. Officials have not yet transported ballot papers from three mountainous districts—Sankhuwasabha, Dolpa, and Gorkha—due to bad weather conditions. Counting in these regions will begin once the ballots reach counting centres.
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