Nepal’s early vote count puts ex-rapper’s party ahead

Nepal’s early vote count puts ex-rapper’s party ahead

Early results from Nepal’s general election indicate that Balendra Shah’s political party is taking the lead, significantly surpassing his competitors such as the country’s former prime minister, who resigned following a notable youth-driven protest last year. Shah, 35, and his centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party have emerged as a prominent force, capturing attention across Nepal during the campaign. The party, established three years ago, appears to be securing a strong position in 37 constituencies, while the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist – UML), led by the 74-year-old K P Sharma Oli, holds an advantage in just three.

According to officials, final results are expected to be finalized by Friday evening or Saturday. The election involves 275 seats in the lower house, with 165 being decided through direct voting and the other 110 allocated via proportional representation. Shah’s campaign attracted substantial public support, resonating with young voters seeking transformation both locally and through digital platforms. This outreach came as he faced off against Oli in the Jhapa 5 constituency, a region near the Indian border, where the former prime minister contested.

Nepal, situated between China and India, has grappled with persistent political unrest for years. This instability has hampered its primarily agricultural economy and increased unemployment, problems made worse by widespread corruption. The situation intensified in late September when protests, sparked by a social media restriction, led to mass demonstrations, resulting in confrontations and deaths that compelled Oli to step down.