Kathmandu, March 6 Balendra Shah, a rapper turned politician, and his newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) are on track to win a landslide victory in Nepal's first general elections since the violent Gen Z protests ousted the K P Sharma Oli-led government in September.
According to data from the Election Commission covering 144 of the total 165 constituencies, the RSP has won three seats and is leading in 104 others, local media reported.
The Nepali Congress has won two seats and is leading in 12 others, while the CPN-UML is leading in 10 constituencies. The Nepali Communist Party has won one and is leading in six constituencies.
The outcome is expected to provide a strong government in politically fragile Nepal, which has had 14 governments in the last 18 years.
The election is being closely watched by India, which hopes for a stable government in the politically fragile Himalayan nation to further the developmental partnership between the two countries.
"We look forward to working with the new Government of Nepal to further strengthen the robust, multifaceted ties between our two countries and peoples for mutual benefit," said Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, in Delhi on Thursday.
He said that India has "consistently supported peace, progress, and stability in Nepal, and in keeping with our commitment, provided logistical supplies as per request from the Government of Nepal for these elections."
Balendra Shah, who was the Mayor of Kathmandu until recently, is leading in Jhapa-5 constituency against four-time prime minister and CPN-UML chair Oli in the latter's stronghold. Shah, popularly known as Balen, received 6,551 votes, while Oli got just 1,428 votes.
Popularly known as 'Balen', the 35-year-old engineer was a popular choice to lead the interim government after Gen Z youths ousted the Oli-led coalition government in September last year, following two-day nationwide violent protests against corruption and a ban on social media.
However, Balen declined to lead the interim government, saying he would rather lead the government by contesting the parliamentary election for a full term.
In January, he joined the RSP, led by Ravi Lamichhane, and was soon declared the party's prime ministerial candidate.
Among other parties, the Shram Sanskriti Party is leading in six constituencies.
Ranju Darshana of the RSP won from Kathmandu-1 with 15,455 votes, while Yogesh Gauchan Thakali of the NC won from Mustang with 3,307 votes.
According to an official, Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda has won from Rukum Purba district. He secured 10,240 votes against his nearest rival, Lilamani Gautam of CPN (UML), who got 3,462 votes.
The RSP is leading in all 10 constituencies of Kathmandu.
Nepal witnessed about 60 per cent voter turnout during the elections to the House of Representatives on Thursday. The counting of votes started late Thursday night and is expected to be completed by Friday night, according to the Election Commission.
The RSP, formed in 2022, had projected Balen as its prime minister candidate. The party received significant support during the campaign. On the other hand, the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) were part of the government toppled by the Gen Z last year.
Nepali Congress president Gagan Thapa is the prime ministerial candidate of his party, whereas the CPN (UML) has projected Oli as its PM face.
Nepal's 18.9 million voters were eligible to elect 275 members of the House of Representatives. They will elect 165 HoR members through first past the post (FPTP) or direct voting system, and 110 members through proportionate voting.
Around 3,400 candidates are vying for 165 seats under direct voting, and 3,135 candidates for 110 seats through proportionate voting.
The Gen Z youth, through their two-day intensified protests on September 8 and 9, ousted Prime Minister Oli, who was heading a coalition government with the backing of Nepali Congress that enjoyed nearly two-thirds majority support.
After Oli's ouster, President Ramchandra Paudel dissolved the House of Representatives on September 12 and appointed Sushila Karki as the caretaker PM.
The major issues raised by Gen Z are anti-corruption, good governance, an end to nepotism, generational change in political leadership, etc.
