RSP Wins 124 Seats in Nepal Polls; Nepali Congress Gets 17, UML Trails Further

The Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by rapper-turned-politician Balendra "Balen" Shah, has secured a commanding lead in Nepal's House of Representatives elections held on March 5, 2026, winning 124 seats under the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system as counting progressed into March 9. With results declared for 161 of the 165 direct seats, RSP is also leading in one additional constituency, positioning the party on the cusp of a historic two-thirds majority in the 275-member parliament when combined with proportional representation (PR) seats. RSP has dominated the PR vote tally as well, amassing nearly 40 lakh votes, far ahead of competitors.

The Nepali Congress (NC), a long-established force in Nepali politics, trailed significantly with 17 seats won and one lead. Other major traditional parties fared poorly: the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) or CPN-UML secured eight seats with one lead, while the Nepali Communist Party (often associated with former PM Pushpa Kamal Dahal "Prachanda") won seven seats. Smaller parties and independents claimed the remaining handful, including one win for the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP) and an independent candidate. The RSP's sweep marks a dramatic shift, as the party—founded only a few years ago—capitalized on widespread disillusionment with legacy parties amid youth-led protests and demands for change.

Balen Shah's personal victory underscored the RSP wave, as he decisively defeated former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5 by a margin of nearly 50,000 votes. The results reflect a rejection of entrenched political figures and coalitions that have dominated Nepal since the end of the monarchy, with RSP appealing to voters frustrated by instability, corruption allegations, and economic stagnation. Shah, the former mayor of Kathmandu known for his anti-establishment stance, is widely expected to become the next prime minister, potentially forming the first single-party majority government in decades under Nepal's mixed electoral system.

Also Read: Nepal Election 2026: RSP Leads in 94 Seats, Oli and Congress Trail in Early Count

This outcome follows the first general election since the 2025 Gen-Z protests that pressured the dissolution of parliament and early polls. The RSP's performance in urban centers like Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur, and eastern districts such as Jhapa and Morang highlights its strong grassroots mobilization and anti-corruption messaging. With four seats still pending final declaration, the focus now shifts to government formation, coalition possibilities if needed for the full two-thirds threshold, and how the new administration will address pressing issues like economic recovery and federal governance.

The landslide has sent shockwaves through Nepal's political establishment, signaling a generational pivot toward newer forces. Observers note that while RSP's rise promises fresh governance, challenges remain in translating electoral dominance into stable policy implementation amid Nepal's history of fragile coalitions. As final tallies are confirmed by the Election Commission, celebrations and analyses continue nationwide, marking a pivotal moment in the country's democratic evolution.

Also Read: Nepal's 18.9 Million Voters Begin Polling for 275-Seat House of Representatives on Thursday