RSP Leads Nepal Polls as Balendra Shah Gains Big Edge

Vote counting in Nepal’s parliamentary elections indicates a strong lead for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by Balendra Shah.

According to early trends and partial results, the party is ahead in more than 100 constituencies, placing it well ahead of rival parties as counting continues.

RSP Emerges as Clear Front Runner

Preliminary data from multiple constituencies shows the RSP maintaining a comfortable lead in the race for the House of Representatives.

The party’s growing tally puts it far ahead of the Nepali Congress and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) led by former prime minister KP Sharma Oli.

If the trend continues, the RSP could secure a clear majority in parliament.

Key Results and Leads

Several RSP candidates have already secured victories in key constituencies, including multiple seats in the capital region.

Among the confirmed results, RSP candidate Ranju Darshana won the Kathmandu-1 constituency, while Shishir Khanal secured victory from Kathmandu-6.

Another RSP candidate, Raju Nath Pandey, was elected from Kathmandu-3 with a significant vote margin.

Meanwhile, veteran politician Pushpa Kamal Dahal from the Nepali Communist Party won the Rukum East constituency.

Strong Support From Younger Voters

Election officials reported around 60% voter turnout, with particularly strong participation from younger voters.

Observers say the high engagement among younger voters reflects growing demand for political change in the Himalayan nation.

The election follows a period of political unrest that saw widespread youth-led demonstrations in 2025.

A Rapid Rise for Balendra Shah

Balendra Shah, a former rapper who entered politics in recent years, rose to national prominence after being elected mayor of Kathmandu in 2022.

His leadership and growing popularity helped the RSP gain support across several constituencies during this election.

If the current trends hold, Shah could play a major role in forming Nepal’s next government.

Nepal’s Parliamentary System

Nepal elects 165 lawmakers directly through constituency contests. An additional 110 seats are allocated through proportional representation.

To form a government independently, a political party must cross the 135-seat majority mark, though coalition governments have historically been common.

As counting continues across remaining constituencies, final results will determine the composition of the next parliament and government.