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

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

Early election results in Nepal have positioned Balendra Shah’s political party as a frontrunner, outperforming other contenders, including the former prime minister who resigned following a major protest movement last year. Shah, a 35-year-old former mayor of Kathmandu, has emerged as a central figure in the race for prime minister, gaining traction among diverse voter groups during his campaign.

According to initial data from the election commission, the centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party, which Shah founded three years ago, leads with 37 seats. This outpaces the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist – UML), led by 74-year-old K P Sharma Oli, which holds three seats. The Nepali Congress, the nation’s oldest party, is currently ahead in five seats under 49-year-old Gagan Thapa. Officials predict the final results will be finalized by Friday evening or Saturday.

The election process involves 275 total seats in the lower house of parliament, with 165 allocated through direct voting and the remaining 110 determined via proportional representation. Shah’s campaign has drawn significant attention, particularly among younger voters, as he promotes change in both local and national forums. His influence was evident in the Jhapa 5 constituency, where he challenged Oli on his home ground.

Nepal, bordered by China and India, faces long-term political volatility that has strained its agrarian economy and increased unemployment. These challenges have been exacerbated by deep-rooted corruption. A pivotal moment came in September, when a social media ban ignited mass demonstrations, resulting in street clashes and casualties. This unrest ultimately led to the resignation of K P Sharma Oli, marking a turning point in the country’s political landscape.