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2d ago

Balen Shah Poised to Lead Nepal as Rastriya Swatantra Party Clinches Landslide Majority

A rare single‑party majority now puts the spotlight on governance capacity, economic delivery, accountability for last year’s protest deaths.

Balendra Shah, a rapper turned politician, greets his supporters as he celebrates after winning the election, in Damak, Jhapa district, Nepal, on March 7, 2026.
Balendra Shah arrives at the counting center to collect a certificate after his victory in parliamentary elections at Damak, Nepal, on March 7, 2026.
Balendra Shah celebrates with his supporters in Damak, Jhapa district, Nepal, on March 7, 2026.

Overview

  • Official results show the Rastriya Swatantra Party won 182 of 275 lower‑house seats, including 125 first‑past‑the‑post and 57 proportional seats.
  • The Nepali Congress finished second with 38 seats and the CPN‑UML took 25, with Shah defeating former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli in Jhapa‑5.
  • Constitutional steps to constitute parliament are under way, with a prime minister expected to be confirmed after proportional lists are finalized.
  • Analysts and Fitch‑affiliated researchers say the majority could reduce near‑term political uncertainty yet warn limited state capacity threatens delivery on anti‑corruption, jobs and growth pledges.
  • At least 77 people were killed in last year’s Gen Z‑led protests; a caretaker administration plans to hand a report on the killings to the incoming government, intensifying calls for justice.