RSP founder and president Rabi Lamichhane is leading in Chitwan-2 constituency. And senior RSP leader and former rapper Balendra Shah is leading in Jhapa-5.
Counting began late on the night of Thursday, March 5, and is expected to continue through March 6 as officials process ballot boxes from across the Himalayan nation.The vote marks Nepal’s first nationwide election since the large-scale youth-led protests in September 2025 that ultimately forced Oli’s government to step down after weeks of unrest.
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The demonstrations initially erupted following a brief ban on social media but soon expanded into a broader movement driven by public frustration over corruption and economic difficulties. The protests turned violent, leaving at least 77 people dead and triggering significant political upheaval, as per AFP.Key contenders in Nepal PM race
At the centre of the contest is KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist leader and former Prime Minister, who is attempting to regain political power months after being removed from office.
The election has widely been viewed as a contest between Nepal’s established political leadership and a younger, reform-focused movement seeking to challenge the status quo.
One of the most closely watched constituencies is Jhapa-5 in eastern Nepal, Oli’s long-time political stronghold. There, he faces a strong challenge from Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician representing the Rastriya Swatantra Party.
Shah, who previously served as mayor of Kathmandu, has emerged as a prominent figure among younger voters demanding political change and greater accountability.
Another key contender in the broader prime ministerial race is Nepali Congress leader Gagan Thapa, 49, who has pledged to end what he describes as the “old age” cycle of veteran leaders dominating national politics.
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