Ex-Rapper Wins Nepal Election 2026; What’s Next?

2026 Nepal Election: The government was overthrown in September 2025, when thousands of young Nepalis protested in the streets against the Nation’s powerful political class. Rapper-turned politician Balendra Shah’s Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has emerged as a major force in the first election since what many have called the Gen-Z movement, even a “revolution,” winning 25 seats and leading in 93 constituencies. The result represents a clear departure from Nepal long standing political status quo.

Shah’s personal political philosophy is based on criticism of Nepal’s long-standing political establishment and Elite. The election results also show this change, with him increasing his advantage over former Prime Minister and CP LN UML chairman KP Sharma Oli in his home constituency of Jhapa-5. He had to step down as prime minister following the September 2025 Gen Z protest.

RSP won the Elections in Nepal

The RSP won 7 of the 32 seats spread over 8 districts in Madhesh province and is currently in the lead in 23 further constituencies. According to reports, RSP is also winning all 10 of the Kathmandu district seats in the Kathmandu valley. It also won one in the district of Lalitpur and two in Bhaktapur. The party also has a suitable advantage in the other two of the Kathmandu valley’s 15 seats. Balen led the party’s road show across all 15 of the valley’s constituencies on the last day of the campaign.

How are the votes counted?

There are 275 seats in Nepal’s lower house of Parliament. Vote counting is now taking place for the 165 members who are chosen by direct elections using the first-past-the-post method. Later on, the proportional representation system will be used to distribute the remaining 100 and 10 seats.

6 seats won by the Nepali Congress

In contrast, the Nepali Congress has won 6 seats and is in the lead in 12 more. The Kathmandu Post said that RSP candidate Amrish Kumar Singh was far ahead of Nepali Congress President Gagan Thapa. His party was the biggest in the dissolved parliament, in Sarlahi-4.