Vote counting in the 2026 parliamentary elections in Nepal is underway, with early trends showing a strong performance by the Rastriya Swatantra Party. The newly formed party is currently leading in multiple constituencies, including all seats in Jhapa district, according to initial counting data. The elections mark Nepal’s first parliamentary poll since last year’s mass youth-led protests that led to the collapse of the coalition government headed by K. P. Sharma Oli.

Among the prominent candidates, Balendra Shah is leading in the Jhapa-5 constituency with a significant vote margin. Shah, who previously served as the mayor of Kathmandu, is contesting the parliamentary election as the prime ministerial face of the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Early results suggest that his party is mounting a serious challenge to Nepal’s traditional political forces that have dominated the country’s politics for decades.

Preliminary data from the Election Commission of Nepal indicates that around 60 percent of registered voters participated in the polls held on Thursday. Approximately 19 million voters were eligible to cast their ballots in the nationwide election. Authorities said the counting process is continuing across constituencies, and final results are expected to be announced after the completion of the tallying process.

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Early trends also suggest that the Rastriya Swatantra Party is leading in several other regions, including constituencies in Chitwan district. Party president Rabi Lamichhane is reportedly holding a substantial lead in Chitwan-2, strengthening the party’s prospects of securing a strong presence in the federal parliament. Analysts say these early leads indicate growing public support for newer political forces.

Traditional parties remain in the race, however, including the Nepali Congress led by Sher Bahadur Deuba and the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) headed by Oli. Another key political figure in the election is Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), whose party is also competing for parliamentary seats.

The election is widely viewed as a critical political moment for Nepal as voters weigh demands for political renewal against established leadership. Rising leaders such as Gagan Thapa have campaigned on promises to move the country beyond what critics describe as a cycle of veteran politicians returning to power. With counting still ongoing, the final results are expected to determine whether Nepal’s political landscape is headed for a major shift.

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