Nepal’s new House of Representatives is expected to include a significant number of young lawmakers, reflecting a noticeable generational shift in national politics. According to the latest election results, at least 54 candidates under the age of 40 have won seats through the first-past-the-post system. The number could increase further once proportional representation seats are allocated.
Most of the young winners come from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which has seen a strong surge in support across the country. A smaller number of under-40 lawmakers were elected from other parties, including three from the Nepali Congress, two from the CPN-UML, one from the Shram Sanskriti Party, and one from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.
One of the most closely watched victories was that of 36-year-old Balen Shah, who contested as the RSP’s prime ministerial candidate. He secured a decisive win against former prime minister and CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli, highlighting the scale of the political shift seen in this election.
Several other young candidates also defeated established political figures. In Chitwan-3, 30-year-old Sobita Gautam of the RSP defeated CPN leader Renu Dahal. In Rupandehi-2, 28-year-old Sulav Kharel won against former finance minister Bishnu Paudel. In Morang-6, 31-year-old Rubina Acharya defeated senior Nepali Congress leader Shekhar Koirala by a wide margin.
Other young winners include candidates like Sunil Lamsal, Rajan Gautam, Badan Kumar Bhandari and Tosima Karki, many of whom overcame long-standing party leaders in their constituencies.
The youngest winner appears to be 25-year-old Prashant Upreti from Makwanpur-2. Several other newly elected representatives are also in their late twenties and early thirties.
The results suggest growing voter confidence in younger leaders. Compared to previous elections, Nepal’s incoming parliament is likely to have a much stronger youth presence, signalling a shift in the country’s political landscape.