In a stunning political transformation, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah (popularly known as “Balen”), has secured a commanding victory in Nepal’s 2026 general elections. This marks the first national poll since the Gen Z-led protests in September 2025 that forced the resignation of then-Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli amid widespread demands for change.
The elections, held on March 5, 2026, saw high voter turnout and intense focus on youth-driven anti-establishment sentiment. As vote counting progressed over the following days, the RSP emerged as the dominant force in the 165 directly elected seats of the 275-member House of Representatives (with the remaining seats allocated via proportional representation).
Early and final trends from the Election Commission of Nepal showed the RSP winning dozens of seats outright and leading in a majority of constituencies. Reports indicated the party had won at least 44 seats and led in over 75 more in key updates, with some sources noting leads in 100+ constituencies and projections of a clear majority or even approaching a two-thirds threshold. This performance positioned the RSP to form the next government comfortably, potentially without needing coalition partners.
A highlight of the results was Balendra Shah’s personal triumph in the Jhapa-5 constituency, where he decisively defeated four-time former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli. Shah garnered 68,348 votes compared to Oli’s 18,734, securing victory by a margin of nearly 50,000 votes (49,614). This symbolic defeat in Oli’s home turf underscored the rejection of traditional political figures and parties.
The RSP also swept key urban areas, particularly dominating constituencies across the Kathmandu Valley, including multiple wins in the capital. Traditional heavyweights suffered major setbacks: the Nepali Congress trailed significantly, and Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist or UML) lagged far behind, reflecting deep voter frustration with chronic political instability, corruption, economic challenges, and frequent government changes.
Shah, a former mayor of Kathmandu who entered national politics after building a reputation for independent governance and youth appeal, founded or aligned with the RSP (a relatively new centrist party established about three years ago) to capitalize on the momentum from the 2025 uprising. His campaign emphasized anti-corruption, good governance, and breaking the cycle of elite dominance, resonating strongly with younger voters and first-time participants.
Celebrations erupted in Kathmandu and other cities as results solidified, with supporters hailing the outcome as a “political earthquake” and a mandate for generational change. Shah is widely expected to become Nepal’s next Prime Minister, ushering in a new era for the Himalayan nation.
While final official tallies for all seats, including proportional representation, may take additional time to confirm, the trends leave no doubt: Nepal has decisively shifted toward a fresh, youth-led political landscape, ending decades of dominance by established parties.
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