Nepal’s early vote count puts ex-rapper’s party ahead
Nepal’s early vote count puts ex-rapper’s party ahead
Initial tallying of votes in Nepal’s general election has positioned Balendra Shah’s political group as a strong contender, surpassing other parties with notable margins. This surge highlights Shah’s influence in the race to lead the nation, particularly as he faces off against former leaders like K P Sharma Oli, whose government fell after a significant movement by young citizens last year.
At 35, Shah, once a musician, now serves as the mayor of Kathmandu. His campaign has resonated deeply with voters, especially the younger generation, who are seeking transformative change. During the election, he actively engaged with crowds both physically and digitally, drawing attention to his appeal across diverse regions of the country.
According to preliminary data released by the election commission, Shah’s centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party is currently leading in 37 parliamentary seats. Meanwhile, K P Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist – UML) holds three seats, while the Nepali Congress, led by Gagan Thapa, is in the lead for five. These figures are expected to solidify by the end of the week.
As of Friday morning, results for 165 seats—elected through direct voting—were being analyzed, with the remaining 110 seats to be determined via proportional representation. The election commission anticipates full results by Friday evening or Saturday, offering a clearer picture of the political landscape.
The country’s long-standing political turmoil escalated in September, sparked by a social media restriction. This led to widespread protests, resulting in clashes and deaths. Consequently, Oli was compelled to resign.
Nepal, a nation of 30 million people bordered by China and India, has grappled with instability for years. This has negatively impacted its agrarian economy and exacerbated unemployment, issues worsened by widespread corruption. The recent upheaval, driven by youth activism, marked a turning point in the nation’s political history.
