In a landmark shift for Nepal’s political landscape, the newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by the former rapper and popular figure Balendra Shah, has taken a commanding lead in early vote counts following the 2026 general election.
This election, the first since the widespread “Gen Z” protests that led to the resignation of the K.P. Sharma Oli-led coalition government last year, has seen voters turn away from traditional parties in favor of new, reform-oriented leadership.
Early Trends and Seat Distribution
According to early counting data, the RSP has established a significant early advantage. While official results from the Election Commission are still pending, the current trends are as follows:
| Political Party | Leading Seats |
| Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) | 70 |
| Nepali Congress | 8 |
| CPN-UML | 6 |
The RSP has reportedly secured key victories in the capital, with confirmed wins in Kathmandu 1, Kathmandu 7, and Kathmandu 8. Notably, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha (Kathmandu 8), Ranju Darshana (Kathmandu 1), and Ganesh Parajuli (Kathmandu 7) have emerged as the successful candidates in these constituencies.
A New Political Era
The 2026 general election was triggered by the political fallout of the September 2025 protests, where youth-led movements demanded an end to corruption, stagnant governance, and nepotism. With a voter turnout of approximately 60%, the results suggest a clear public mandate for change, effectively challenging the dominance of veteran figures like former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli and the established Nepali Congress leadership.
As vote counting continues, political analysts are closely watching to see if the RSP can maintain this momentum and form a stable government in the new parliament.
