Ex-rapper’s political party leads early results in Nepal’s first election since 2025 youth revolt

Associated Press (AP)EN 3 min read 100% complete by By BINAJ GURUBACHARYAMarch 7, 2026 at 08:23 AM

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In Nepal's first parliamentary election since the 2025 youth revolt, early results show the Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by former rapper Balendra Shah, in the lead. As of Saturday, March 6, 2026, the National Independent Party had won 27 of 165 directly elected seats and was leading in 90 other constituencies. Shah, who won the Kathmandu mayoral race in 2022 and became a prominent figure in the 2025 uprising, is running against former Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli. Shah's campaign focused on improving health and education for poor Nepalis, capitalizing on public dissatisfaction with traditional parties. Voters are directly electing 165 members to the House of Representatives, with the remaining seats allocated through proportional representation.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Election Commission 40% Nepal Congress 40% House of Representatives ×250% Kathmandu ×260% Khadga Prasad Oli ×270% Balendra Shah 80% Rastriya Swatantra Party ×490% Nepal ×4100%

Keywords

nepal election 100% political party 80% youth revolt 70% rastriya swatantra party 70% rapper-turned-politician 60% parliamentary election 60% house of representatives 50% balendra shah 50% khadga prasad oli 40% political parties 40%