Vote counting is underway across Nepal following Thursday’s parliamentary elections, with early trends showing a strong lead for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), a relatively new political force that has gained momentum among younger voters.
According to preliminary data from the Election Commission, the RSP is currently ahead in 47 constituencies in the early stages of counting. The party has already secured one confirmed victory, with its candidate Ranju Neupane winning the seat in Kathmandu-1.
RSP chair Rabi Lamichhane is leading in Chitwan-2 with around 6,700 votes, well ahead of his closest rival from the CPN-UML. In another closely watched race, senior RSP leader Balendra Shah, the party’s prime ministerial candidate, is leading in Jhapa-5 with over 10,000 votes, while former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli trails behind with just over 4,000 votes.
The RSP, founded about four years ago by Lamichhane, a former television presenter, has drawn significant public attention in the run-up to the election. Its rise has been fuelled largely by frustration among voters—particularly young people—with traditional political parties such as the Nepali Congress and the UML.
Early results show other major parties trailing behind. The Nepali Congress and the UML are currently leading in a handful of constituencies, while the Nepal Communist Party and several smaller groups are also ahead in a few seats.
The election took place nearly six months after youth-led protests demanding accountability and an end to corruption shook the country and forced the resignation of the previous government.
