Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: RSP wins 34 seats, leads in 85 constituencies
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has won 34 seats and is leading in 85 constituencies in the ongoing House of Representatives elections, according to the latest update from the Election Commission of Nepal.
Based on vote counts from 161 of 165 constituencies, the Nepali Congress has secured five seats and leads in 11 constituencies, while the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) has won two seats and is ahead in eight constituencies, as cited by The Himalayan.
The Nepal Communist Party has so far won one seat and is leading in eight constituencies.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: RPP senior vice-chair Rabindra Mishra resigns
Rabindra Mishra, senior vice-chair of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), announced on Saturday that he is resigning from all party responsibilities following his defeat in the parliamentary election from Kathmandu-1.
In a social media post, Mishra said he is taking a temporary leave from party politics, emphasizing that the decision was deliberate and not made in frustration or haste, as cited by The Kathmandu Post.
He cited the party’s repeated inability to consolidate public support for monarchy restoration and structural reforms, despite widespread popular backing. Mishra added that he will continue to advocate for monarchy restoration, good governance, and related issues as an independent politician.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: Vote counting delayed in Sankhuwasabha, Mugu, Gorkha-1
While vote counting has begun in most constituencies across Nepal, the process has yet to start in Sankhuwasabha, Mugu and Gorkha-1 due to delays in transporting ballot boxes from remote polling centres.
Election officials said ballot boxes from Sankhuwasabha and Gorkha have now been airlifted to counting centres by helicopter, as cited by The Kathmandu Post.
In Mugu, however, ballot boxes from the Dolphu and Mugugaun polling stations are still being carried by people to the counting centre, reflecting the logistical challenges posed by the country’s rugged terrain.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: Balen Shah leads Jhapa-5 constituency with 39,284 votes
In the Jhapa-5 constituency, Balendra Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party is leading with 39,284 votes, well ahead of former prime minister KP Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist), who has secured 10,293 votes, while Samir Tamang of the Shram Sanskriti Party has received 6,324 votes.
Across Nepal, a total of 68 parties are contesting the March 5 election, with 3,406 candidates in the fray under the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system and 1,270 candidates under the Proportional Representation (PR) category. The lower house has 275 seats in total, including 110 allocated through proportional representation, and a party requires at least 138 seats to form a government.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: Balendra Shah’s RSP dominates Nepal vote count, leads on 93 seats
The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is leading with 93 seats, followed by the Nepal Communist Party with 10, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) with 10, and the Nepali Congress with 9, while other parties together account for six seats.
The party, associated with former Kathmandu mayor and rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah, continues to maintain a commanding lead in Nepal’s ongoing parliamentary vote count, putting it on course for a potential landslide victory.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: Youth icon Balen Shah challenges old guard in Nepal election
Former rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah is emerging as a powerful challenger to one of Nepal’s most influential political figures, seeking to convert his popularity among young voters into a broader national mandate.
Ahead of the March 5 election in the eastern district of Jhapa, large crowds gathered to see the 35-year-old former mayor of Kathmandu. Supporters lined up for selfies, with volunteers limiting each interaction to just a few seconds as many had travelled long distances to meet him.
Dressed in his trademark dark blazer and black sunglasses—popularly dubbed “Balen Shah glasses”—the charismatic candidate has come to symbolise a push for generational change in Nepali politics.
Shah is contesting the Jhapa-5 constituency against veteran leader KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old former prime minister who resigned last year after youth-led protests that left 77 people dead.
Once known for rap songs criticising corruption and political stagnation, Shah first gained prominence online before winning Kathmandu’s mayoral election in 2022 as an independent candidate. Now representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party, he is hoping the momentum of Nepal’s protest generation will propel him to a larger national role.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: Balendra Shah’s RSP surges toward sweeping victory in Nepal polls
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was on Saturday heading toward a sweeping victory in Nepal’s first general election since last year’s violent Gen Z–led protests, disrupting the long-standing dominance of established political parties.
According to the Election Commission of Nepal, the RSP has so far won 18 seats and is leading in 99 others. The Nepali Congress has secured four seats and is ahead in 11 constituencies, while the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) has won one seat and is leading in 11. The Nepal Communist Party has won two seats and is leading in 10 constituencies, while the Shram Sanskriti Party is ahead in three.
The election is being closely watched by India, which hopes for political stability in the Himalayan nation to advance bilateral development cooperation.
Of the 275 seats in parliament, 165 are filled through direct voting and 110 through proportional representation. About 18.9 million voters were eligible, with turnout estimated at around 60 percent.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: Over 340,000 security personnel guard Nepal polls
Following last year’s violent protests, authorities in Nepal have launched an extensive security operation to ensure a smooth election process. More than 340,000 personnel have been deployed across the country, including nearly 150,000 temporary “election police.” Authorities have also banned vehicles on polling day and suspended campaign activities to maintain order.
Logistical challenges further complicate the exercise. In Nepal’s mountainous terrain, ballot boxes from remote regions often have to be carried by hand or transported by helicopter, which can slow the counting process.
The combination of heightened security measures and difficult geography has made this election one of the most complex and challenging in Nepal’s recent history.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: High-stakes vote held amid tight security across Nepal
Nepal went to the polls on Thursday in its first nationwide election since last year’s youth-led uprising reshaped the country’s political landscape. The vote follows months of unrest triggered by what many described as a “Gen Z revolution,” driven by growing frustration among young Nepalis over corruption, unemployment and entrenched political patronage.
Across the Himalayan nation of about 30 million people, long queues were seen outside polling stations as voters turned out under tight security. Authorities imposed restrictions on vehicle movement and banned political gatherings on election day to prevent any disturbances.
Nearly 19 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots in the election, widely viewed as a crucial test for the political establishment that has dominated Nepal’s politics for decades.
Nepal Election Results 2026 Live: The protests that toppled Nepal’s government
In September 2025, Nepal witnessed one of its most significant political upheavals in recent years. Protests first erupted in Kathmandu after the government imposed a ban on social media platforms, triggering widespread anger among young people. What began as demonstrations against the restriction soon expanded into a nationwide movement highlighting concerns over corruption, nepotism and economic stagnation.
The protests escalated into violent clashes with security forces, with several key government buildings — including the parliament, the Supreme Court and the central secretariat — set on fire during the unrest. Authorities reported that at least 77 people, most of them protesters, were killed.
Rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah’s newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) was on Saturday heading toward a sweeping victory in Nepal’s first general election since the violent Gen Z–led protests that shook the country earlier this year, challenging the long-standing dominance of traditional political parties.
Vote counting began across the Himalayan nation on Friday following Thursday’s high-stakes parliamentary election, which many observers see as a pivotal moment in Nepal’s political trajectory. Millions of voters cast ballots in an election held six months after nationwide protests forced then prime minister KP Sharma Oli to resign.
The demonstrations, initially triggered by anger over a temporary social media ban and allegations of corruption, escalated into violent clashes with security forces. At least 77 people were killed and several government buildings were set ablaze.
Since the unrest, Nepal has been governed by an interim administration led by former chief justice Sushila Karki, which called early elections to restore a full democratic mandate.
