In a historic shift for Nepal’s political landscape, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has taken a commanding lead in the first general elections held since the transformative “Gen Z” protests of late 2025. Following the conclusion of voting on March 5, early trends from the counting centers on Friday indicate a massive surge for the youth-backed party, which is currently leading in 81 constituencies under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system. This performance has sent shockwaves through the established political order, as traditional heavyweights like the Nepali Congress and the CPN-UML find themselves trailing significantly in regions once considered their impregnable strongholds. The Election Commission reported a robust voter turnout of approximately 60%, with many first-time voters credited for the RSP’s unprecedented momentum in both urban centers like Kathmandu and rural districts.
The success of the RSP is being mirrored in the proportional representation (PR) count, where the party has also taken an early and substantial lead nationwide. Led by popular figures such as former rapper and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah and party chief Rabi Lamichhane, the RSP’s “change” platform appears to have resonated deeply with an electorate frustrated by years of political instability and economic stagnation. In a symbolic battle in Jhapa-5, Balen Shah is reportedly maintaining a significant lead over former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli, a result that analysts say would signal the definitive end of an era for the country’s old-guard leadership. While the Nepali Congress, now led by Gagan Thapa, has managed to secure early wins in districts like Mustang, the overall trend suggests a major realignment toward the newer, progressive force.
Despite the RSP’s dominant start, the Election Commission has cautioned that final results for the 275-member House of Representatives could take several more days to be fully verified, especially as the complex PR tallies continue. The possibility of a hung parliament remains a topic of intense discussion, though current trends suggest the RSP is well-positioned to emerge as the single largest party, if not a majority holder. As the counting progresses under tight security across all 77 districts, the international community and domestic observers are closely watching to see if this surge will translate into a stable, reform-oriented government. For many Nepalis who took to the streets months ago, these results represent more than just a change in leadership; they are a manifestation of a long-awaited democratic evolution driven by the nation’s youth
