Vote counting from Nepal’s March 5 elections is delivering jolts, as Balendra Shah of the National Independent Party (RSP) races ahead of KP Oli for the prime minister candidacy. RSP tops 35 of 43 initial seats, reshaping expectations.
In a high-stakes Jhapa-5 battle, former Kathmandu mayor Shah holds a commanding 1,478 votes versus Oli’s 385, as tracked by Ekantipur. This upset in Oli’s stronghold amplifies RSP’s nationwide surge, leading 39 constituencies against slim pickings for rivals: Nepali Congress (3), NCP (2), and zero for CPN-UML.
The polls follow six months after Gen-Z demonstrations collapsed Oli’s coalition, igniting fury at traditional parties’ grip. RSP, led by media figure Rabi Lamichhane, vows to shatter this cycle. FPTP elects 165 lower house members, with proportional adding 110 more.
Early signs spell trouble for giants like Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and the Maoist-Unified Socialist entity. Nepal’s electorate, weary of corruption and stagnation, seems to embrace RSP’s fresh vision. Shah’s lead positions him as a PM contender, potentially ushering reforms in infrastructure, jobs, and transparency.
With counting ongoing, these results herald a transformative era. Nepal stands at a crossroads, where bold newcomers like Shah could steer the Himalayan nation toward prosperity, leaving behind the shadows of outdated politics.