Nepal’s early vote count puts ex-rapper’s party ahead

Nepal Election Results Show Former Rapper’s Party in the Lead

With early voting results emerging, Balendra Shah’s political party has surged ahead in Nepal’s general election, surpassing other contenders such as the former prime minister who stepped down following a significant youth-driven protest last year. Shah, 35, who previously served as mayor of Kathmandu, has been a prominent figure in the race for prime minister, rallying widespread support throughout the campaign.

According to preliminary data from the election commission, the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party, founded three years ago, is currently leading in 37 parliamentary seats. In contrast, K P Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist – UML) holds a lead in three seats. The Nepali Congress, Nepal’s longest-standing party, is ahead in five seats, as reported by early counting trends on Friday morning.

As of Friday, 165 seats elected through direct voting are accounted for, with the remaining 110 to be determined via proportional representation. Officials anticipate final results by Friday evening or Saturday. Shah’s campaign has captivated large audiences, resonating with young voters seeking transformation, even as he challenged Oli in the Jhapa 5 constituency near the Indian border.

Nepal, situated between China and India, has endured political unrest for decades, undermining its agrarian economy and intensifying unemployment. These challenges are worsened by widespread corruption. A major disruption occurred in September when a social media ban sparked mass demonstrations, leading to violent confrontations and deaths that ultimately compelled Oli to resign.