Nepal's Historic Elections: Vote Counting Underway After Gen Z Protests

Nepal is witnessing a pivotal moment as vote counting begins for its first general elections following the Gen Z protests that led to the ousting of Prime Minister KP Oli. With a voter turnout of 60%, key parties like the Rastriya Swatantra Party, led by Balendra Shah, are making significant strides. India is closely monitoring the situation, congratulating Nepal's interim leadership for successfully conducting the polls. This election marks a crucial step in reshaping Nepal's political landscape amidst calls for generational change and anti-corruption measures.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 6, 2026, 07:56 IST

Vote Counting Begins in Nepal

The counting of votes commenced on Friday morning for Nepal's first general elections following last year's Gen Z protests that led to the ousting of KP Oli's government. The elections took place on Thursday, witnessing a voter turnout of 60 percent. Key political parties in the fray include KP Sharma Oli's Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML), Pushpa Kamal Dahal's CPN (Maoist Centre), Sher Bahadur Deuba's Nepali Congress, and the newly established Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), led by former rapper and Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah.

Current trends indicate that Shah’s RSP is leading in more than 30 seats. Established in 2022, the RSP has garnered substantial support during the campaign, positioning Shah as a strong contender for the prime ministerial role. Conversely, the Nepali Congress and CPN (UML) were part of the government that was toppled by the Gen Z protests last year.

Gagan Thapa, president of the Nepali Congress, is the prime ministerial candidate for his party, while the CPN (UML) has nominated Oli as its candidate for prime minister. The elections were largely peaceful, with only a few minor incidents reported. Out of the 275 members of the House of Representatives, 165 will be elected through a first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, while 110 will be chosen through proportional representation. Approximately 3,400 candidates are competing for the 165 direct voting seats, and 3,135 candidates are vying for the 110 proportional seats.

India's Response to Nepal's Elections:India is closely monitoring the election results in Nepal. On Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) extended congratulations to interim Prime Minister Sushila Karki for successfully conducting the elections. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, "We congratulate Prime Minister Sushila Karki, the Government and the people of Nepal, as well as various stakeholders for successfully holding these polls, which occurred under exceptional circumstances last year." He emphasized India's ongoing support for peace, progress, and stability in Nepal, noting that logistical supplies were provided as requested by the Nepalese government for the elections. Jaiswal expressed hope for continued collaboration with the new government to strengthen the multifaceted ties between the two nations.

Background on the Gen Z Protests:The Gen Z youth movement, through intensified protests on September 8 and 9, successfully removed Prime Minister Oli, who was leading a coalition government with the Nepali Congress, which held nearly two-thirds majority support. The protests were fueled by demands for an end to corruption and a generational shift in Nepal's leadership, escalating after the Oli government imposed a blanket ban on social media.