The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah is emerging as the clear winner in Nepal’s House of Representatives elections held on March 5, riding on a surge in popularity following the Gen Z-led movement in September 2025.

Rapper-mayor Balendra Shah’s Gen Z-backed RSP headed towards landslide victory in Nepal

Nepal is holding its first national elections since the Gen Z-led uprising in 2025, which shook the country’s political landscape and mobilized millions of young voters. The elections are being closely watched for youth participation, political reforms, and the potential reshaping of Nepal’s power dynamics.


Nepal Elections: Nepal's First Polls Since GenZ Uprising in 2025

Nepal is set to witness a crucial electoral contest as nearly one million new voters prepare to cast their ballots in the upcoming elections. The vote marks the first major national test since widespread youth-led protests reshaped the political discourse in the Himalayan nation. With a surge of first-time and young voters entering the democratic process, political parties are intensifying campaigns focused on governance, economic recovery, jobs, and constitutional reforms. 


Nepal Elections: Nearly One Million New Voters to Vote in Crucial Elections

Elections are underway in Nepal for the first time after Gen Z protests rocked the country in 2025, uprooting former government under KP Sharma Oli. Nearly 19 million voters are choosing 275 House seats, with Oli, Balendra Shah and Gagan Thapa among key prime ministerial contenders.

Nepal polls underway in first election after Gen Z protests: All we need to know

In Nepal’s upcoming elections, LGBTQ candidates are running for office in a historic move that highlights growing political inclusion in the predominantly conservative nation. 


Nepal Elections: LGBTQ Candidates In The Fray | WION

Nepal has formally begun preparations for national elections, with the nomination process now under way ahead of polling scheduled for 5 March, election officials said. Political parties across the country are finalising candidates as campaigning gains momentum.


Nepal Moves Toward Polls As Nomination Process Begins Ahead Of March 5 Vote

Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, stepped down as Kathmandu mayor on January 18 after a deal with RSP leader Rabi Lamichhane, positioning himself as the party's PM hopeful while contesting from Jhapa-5 against veteran KP Sharma Oli. 


Balen Joins RSP: Kathmandu Mayor Eyes Prime Minister Seat

Former Kathmandu mayor Balen Shah has formally entered the race to become Nepal’s prime minister, resigning from his post as the capital’s mayor.

Shah, who rose to prominence as an independent leader with a strong anti-establishment appeal, announced his decision amid growing political uncertainty in Nepal.

Balen Shah Enters Nepal PM Race, Resigns As Kathmandu Mayor

Amid a deteriorating law and order situation, India has completely sealed its borders, restricting all cross-border movements except for emergency services.

Fresh unrest in Nepal: Curfew in Birgunj after communal tension, India seals border

Nepal’s Rastriya Swatantra Party and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah have sealed a unity deal ahead of March elections. Shah will be the party’s prime ministerial face, while Rabi Lamichhane remains chair. The pact focuses on governance reforms, anti-corruption and youth-led demands.

Ex-rapper Balen Shah gets support from Gen Z parties, declared Nepal PM face for 2026 elections

The fresh protests erupted following violent clashes between young protestors and workers of the ousted Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli's CPN-UML party. 

Fresh Gen-Z protests hit Nepal; authorities impose curfew, ban gatherings

PM Sushila Karki's remarks come as CPN- UML chair KP Sharma Oli continues to criticise the President’s decision to dissolve the House during the September Gen Z uprising. Oli has also decided to file a writ petition at the Supreme Court demanding reinstatement.



Nepal PM warns parties resistant to joining March polls

The result of Nepal's general election should be finalised in another week, but according to the current result, it is clear no political party or alliance will win a majority of seats in the 275-member House of Representatives.

Nepal's general election likely to deliver hung parliament

People in Nepal are backing young faces and independent candidates as voter fatigue increases against the generational leaders. With election results expected in the coming days, will Nepal see a fresh face or will the old guard remain at top positions? Mariam Wardak explains on this week's South Asia Diary.

South Asia Diary | Nepal elections

The odds for the battle of Kathmandu's democratic throne are favouring the ruling Nepali Congress. Led by Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, Nepali Congress has won 19 seats while it is leading on 37 others of the 165 seats for which polling was held.

Nepal Elections 2022: Odds in PM Deuba's favour as Nepali Congress surges in trends

Polls are underway in Nepal close to 18 million people are eligible to vote in 7 provinces across the Himalayan region. Watch full video to know more

Nepal goes to polls amid political instability

Nepal is ready to hold crucial elections for the House of Representatives on November 20. More than 17.9 million people are eligible to vote in seven provinces across the country.

WION Dispatch: Nepal all set to conduct general elections on November 20

Nepal Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba on Tuesday held a meeting with the officials of the country's Election Commission during which it was proposed to conduct the local level elections on May 18.

Nepal likely to hold local elections on May 18 in single phase

The leaders of the ruling alliance on Tuesday agreed to hold local elections in April and May, as proposed by the country’s Election Commission. A meeting was convened by the ruling five-party alliance led by Nepali Congress leader Ram Chandra Paudel at the prime minister’s residence in Baluwatar to decide on the fate of elections.

Nepal's ruling coalition parties agree to hold local elections in April 

Nepal plunged into fresh political turmoil on Saturday as President Bidya Devi Bhandari dissolved parliament and fixed general elections in November amid a worsening COVID-19 outbreak.

Nepal president dissolves parliament, new election in November

Nepal's Election Commission has refused to recognise any of the two factions of the ruling Nepal Communist Party (NCP) as the official party, saying both failed to adopt due procedures to gain the legitimate status.

Nepal EC refuses to recognise either faction of ruling NCP as official party

By Binod Prasad Adhikari On May 6th, 2019, Nepali politics witnessed the dissolution of two parties and the birth of a new party - “Samajbadi Party, Nepal”. The Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal of Upendra Yadav, incumbent minister and Naya Shakti of former PM Baburam Bhattarai fused together to give birth to a new party with a socialist ideology.

Merger wave in Nepal: Where is it heading?

The final results were delayed by disagreements over how the new election rules in the constitution should be implemented.

Nepal Communist alliance to form next government, confirms election commission

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Rapper-mayor Balendra Shah’s Gen Z-backed RSP headed towards landslide victory in Nepal

Nepal Elections: Nepal's First Polls Since GenZ Uprising in 2025

Nepal Elections: Nearly One Million New Voters to Vote in Crucial Elections

Nepal polls underway in first election after Gen Z protests

Nepal Elections: LGBTQ Candidates In The Fray | WION

Nepal Elections: LGBTQ Candidates In The Fray | WION

Nepal Moves Toward Polls As Nomination Process Begins Ahead Of March 5 Vote

Balen Joins RSP: Kathmandu Mayor Eyes Prime Minister Seat

Balen Shah Enters Nepal PM Race, Resigns As Kathmandu Mayor

Unrest in Nepal: Curfew in Birgunj after communal tension, India seals border

Ex-rapper Balen Shah declared Nepal PM face for 2026 elections

Fresh Gen-Z protests hit Nepal; authorities impose curfew, ban gatherings

Nepal PM warns parties resistant to joining March polls

Nepal's general election likely to deliver hung parliament

South Asia Diary | Nepal elections

Nepal Elections 2022: Odds in PM Deuba's favour as Nepali Congress surges in trends

Nepal goes to polls amid political instability

WION Dispatch: Nepal all set to conduct general elections on November 20

Nepal likely to hold local elections on May 18 in single phase

Nepal's ruling coalition parties agree to hold local elections in April

Nepal president dissolves parliament, new election in November

Nepal EC refuses to recognise either faction of ruling NCP as official party

Merger wave in Nepal: Where is it heading?

Nepal Communist alliance to form next government, confirms election commission