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 revealed that Balendra Shah’s political party is leading, with a substantial edge over its opponents. This includes the former prime minister who resigned following a major youth-driven protest last year.
Shah’s Political Rise and Campaign Strategy
At 35, Balendra Shah, once a musician, has emerged as a key contender in Nepal’s prime ministership race. As Kathmandu’s former mayor, he has captured public attention, especially among young voters, through his energetic campaign. His centrist Rastriya Swatantra Party, established just three years ago, is showing strong momentum in the polls, according to early data shared by the election commission on Friday morning.
Election Commission Results
With 165 seats being decided by direct election, the commission’s preliminary figures indicate that Shah’s party holds the lead in 37 of them. Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) led by K P Sharma Oli is in three seats, while the Nepali Congress, under 49-year-old Gagan Thapa, dominates in five. The remaining 110 seats will be allocated via proportional representation, with final results projected by late Friday or early Saturday.
Context of Political Instability
Nepal, a country of 30 million people bordered by China and India, has faced political turmoil for decades. This instability has hampered its economy, particularly in rural areas, and increased unemployment, issues worsened by persistent corruption. The situation escalated in September when mass demonstrations broke out after a social media ban, causing street clashes and loss of life that ultimately led to the resignation of Oli, 74, during the campaign.
The long-festering malaise erupted into street demonstrations last September, triggered by a social media ban, that brought thousands onto the streets, leading to clashes and fatalities that forced the resignation of Oli.
