Nepal Election Results 2026 Live Updates: Balen Shah's party heads toward landslide victory, KP Oli stares at losing his own seat

Nepal Election Results 2026 Live Updates: Nepal awaits the first results of a pivotal parliamentary election on Friday, as vote counting began after a closely watched poll expected to shape the country’s political direction following last year’s deadly protests.

Election Commission spokesman Prakash Nyupane said counting had started peacefully in most parts of the country. While some early results were expected later on Friday, final nationwide tallies could take several days. Even then, negotiations to form a government may be lengthy if no single party secures a clear majority, as many analysts predict.

Interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki praised the orderly conduct of the vote, calling it crucial for “determining our future”. The election will decide who replaces the interim administration that has governed since the September 2025 uprising, during which at least 77 people were killed and parliament along with dozens of government buildings were set on fire.

The unrest was driven largely by youth-led protests, initially sparked by a brief ban on social media but quickly fuelled by wider frustration over corruption and economic hardship.

Among the leading contenders are KP Sharma Oli, the 74-year-old Marxist former prime minister seeking a return to power, Balendra Shah, a 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician popular with younger voters, and Gagan Thapa, the new leader of the long-established Nepali Congress party.

12:03 (IST) Mar 05

Nepal elections 2026: Nepal votes in a high-stakes election

Nepal went to polls on Thursday in its first nationwide election since last year’s youth-led uprising transformed the country’s political scene. The vote comes after months of unrest sparked by what has been called a “Gen Z revolution,” driven by young Nepalis frustrated with corruption, unemployment, and entrenched political favoritism.

Across the Himalayan nation of around 30 million people, long lines formed outside polling stations under the watchful eyes of security forces. Authorities banned vehicles and political gatherings on election day to prevent any disturbances. Nearly 19 million voters are eligible to cast their ballots in what many see as a critical test of the political establishment that has dominated Nepal for decades.

12:02 (IST) Mar 05

Nepal Election 2026: Kathmandu prepares for its next leader after last year's GenZ protests

Back in September 2025, Nepal witnessed one of the most dramatic political upheavals in recent memory. Young people across Kathmandu and other cities first protested a government ban on social media. The demonstrations quickly grew into a nationwide movement against corruption, nepotism, and economic stagnation. Clashes with security forces turned violent, and several government buildings, including parliament, the Supreme Court, and the central secretariat, were set on fire. Authorities reported that 77 people, mostly protesters, lost their lives during the unrest. The wave of violence and public anger ultimately led to the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli and the dissolution of parliament, leaving the country at a crucial turning point in its political history.

Nepal’s national election on Thursday marked a crucial test for its political system after last year’s youth-driven uprising. The protests, initially triggered by a government social media ban, evolved into a nationwide demand for accountability, economic opportunity, and an end to corruption and nepotism. The unrest led to violent clashes, the deaths of 77 protesters, and the resignation of Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Oli.

The stakes are high: nearly 19 million voters, over half of them under 40, now have a historic influence on national politics. Election authorities faced logistical and security challenges, from transporting ballots across mountainous regions to managing unprecedented voter turnout. Over 6,500 candidates vied for 275 House of Representatives seats, with 165 elected directly and 110 through proportional representation.

A defining feature of the vote is the rise of new political figures like Balendra “Balen” Shah, a former rapper and Kathmandu mayor. Shah’s campaign symbolizes a generational shift, challenging entrenched leaders like former prime minister KP Sharma Oli. Traditional parties, despite their experience and resources, risk losing relevance if they fail to address public frustration over corruption and economic stagnation.

No single party is expected to win a majority, meaning coalition-building will determine the next government. Whoever emerges will face immediate pressure to investigate last year’s unrest, curb corruption, and create opportunities for Nepal’s youth.