On March 12, 2026, Nepal's Election Commission confirmed the final results of the March 5 parliamentary elections, in which the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by rapper-turned-politician and former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, won a landslide majority
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Summary
On March 12, 2026, Nepal's Election Commission confirmed the final results of the March 5 parliamentary elections, in which the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by rapper-turned-politician and former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, won a landslide majority. The party secured 182 of the 275 seats in the House of Representatives, winning 125 directly elected seats and 57 through proportional representation, leaving it just two seats short of a two-thirds supermajority. The election was the country's first since September 2025, when youth-led, anti-corruption protests resulted in 77 deaths and toppled the previous government. The previously dominant Nepali Congress party won only 38 seats, while communist factions trailed significantly. Balendra Shah is now positioned to become Nepal's next prime minister, with analysts hoping the clear majority will provide the political stability that has eluded the country for decades.
★ Why It Matters
This election marks a dramatic political realignment in Nepal, ending a prolonged period of instability characterized by frequent government changes and shifting coalitions. The decisive victory of a young, anti-establishment party signals a major generational shift and a public mandate against corruption, potentially ushering in a more stable five-year government. It also represents a significant decline for the traditional parties that have dominated Nepali politics since the end of the monarchy.