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Balendra Shah Poised to Be Nepal’s Prime Minister as RSP Sweeps Vote

Governance will require negotiation in a National Assembly with no RSP representation.

Overview

  • Election officials confirm Shah defeated former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa by 68,348 votes to 18,734.
  • Initial counts and projections show the Rastriya Swatantra Party on track for at least 117 seats in the lower house, with additional gains possible as counting continues.
  • Final seat totals remain pending under Nepal’s mixed system, which includes 110 proportional seats still to be allocated.
  • Youth-led protests last September over social media bans toppled the previous government after a forceful police response that left about 70 people dead.
  • Party founder Rabi Lamichhane is set to enter parliament despite unresolved judicial allegations, adding potential legal and political complications.