1 hour ago
Live now
Last Updated:March 06, 2026, 09:39 IST
Nepal Elections LIVE Updates: The election is widely viewed as a major test for Nepal’s political old guard, who have dominated the nation’s leadership for more than a decade.
Electoral officials empty ballot boxes on the floor to start counting votes at the counting centre after voting ended in Nepal's general election in Kathmandu . (AFP)
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Counting of votes has begun in Nepal for the high-stakes general election for the 275-member House of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament.
The poll marks Nepal’s first general election since Gen Z protests on September 8 and 9 forced the resignation of former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and led to the dissolution of Parliament.
The voting began at 7 AM on Thursday, and ended at 5 PM. Once the voting concluded, ballot boxes were collected and the counting process began immediately, according to the Election Commission.
Among the key contenders is Balendra Shah, the 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, directly challenging former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa‑5.
The election is widely viewed as a major test for Nepal’s political old guard, who have dominated the Himalayan nation’s leadership for more than a decade — Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, KP Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML), and Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).
Follow LIVE Updates
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Trends Suggest Shift In Nepal Politics
Initial trends after Nepal’s March 5 general election show the Rastriya Swatantra Party heading toward a landslide in the 275-member House of Representatives of Nepal. The party’s prime ministerial candidate, Balendra Shah, is leading former prime minister KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa-5.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Nepal Declares Three-Day Holiday
Nepal declared a three-day public holiday from March 4 to March 6 for the elections. The India-Nepal border has remained closed from midnight of March 2 to midnight of March 5, with restricted movement and strict verification checks in place. The government has also prohibited alcohol nationwide seven days before polling, with the ban continuing until final results are announced.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Balen Shah’s RSP Wins One Seat, Leading In 36 Seats As Per Initial Results
The newly-formed Rastriya Swotantra Party (RSP) has won one seat and is leading in another 36 while the Nepali Congress is ahead on five, the CPN (UML) on three and the Nepali Communist Party on one, according to preliminary results in 46 seats where counting is in progress.
The RSP has won the Kathmandu 1 constituency with its candidate Ranju Darshana winning by a “huge margin”, according to RSP central committee member R K Dhungana.
Ranju secured more than 10,000 votes, almost double than the nearest rival, Prabal Thapa Chhetri of the Nepali Congress, Dhungana said, PTI reported.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Elect Those Who Are On Side Of Peace, Says Ex-PM KP Oli
Former Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has stressed that the election must help restore stability and democratic order in Nepal, while expressing confidence that his party would secure a strong mandate in the General Elections 2026.
The election held in Nepal on Thursday was overall peaceful.
Oli, who is the Chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal – Unified Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), said the election carries the responsibility of reinforcing peace and ensuring citizens can continue their daily activities without fear.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Oli said, “This election has to maintain peace and order and ensure the public that normalcy is back in the nation so that people can continue their business and activities without fear or restraints,” ANI reported.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: What's The Voter Turnout?
Nepal’s general elections saw a preliminary voter turnout of around 60%, mostly from the Gen Z demographic, contributing to the “unprecedented” energy at the polls. The Election Commission attributed the successful conduct to improved voter education, cooperation from political parties, and robust security measures.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Balen Shah's Party Leading In 14 Of 15 Seats Of Kathmandu Valley
Early vote counting in Nepal’s parliamentary election shows the Rastriya Swatantra Party leading in 14 of the 15 constituencies across the Kathmandu Valley, reports The Kathmandu Post.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Issues Driving The Vote
Corruption, job creation, poverty and high youth unemployment are among the main issues facing voters. Nepal’s relations with neighbouring India and China, both key trade partners, are also significant factors. India accounts for two-thirds of Nepal’s international trade, while China accounts for 14 per cent and has lent more than $130 million to the country.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Who Are The Top Contenders?
Among the frontrunners are KP Sharma Oli’s Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist-Leninist) (CPN-UML), Sher Bahadur Deuba’s Nepali Congress, and Pushpa Kamal Dahal’s CPN (Maoist Centre).
The newly formed Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) led by former rapper Balendra Shah, who was also the mayor of Kathmandu, is also posing a tough challenge to the seasoned political parties.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: When To Expect Results?
According to a report by BBC citing Chief Election Commissioner Bhandari, the counting of votes is likely to be completed by March 9, 2026.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Interim PM Sushila Karki Says Quick Handover Key As Nepal Awaits Results
Nepal’s interim prime minister Sushila Karki urged patience as the country awaits clarity on the next government, saying that the interim setup will work toward a swift handover, noting that the nation’s youth have “huge expectations” from the incoming government.
“Lets see what kind of government will be formed, whether there will be coalition or a single party government. We will try for quick handover because youths have huge expectations with the new government,” Karki told BBC.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Nearly 3,500 Candidates In The Fray For The 275-Member House
Data from the Election Commission of Nepal shows that around 3,406 candidates are contesting in the direct election category. Another 3,135 candidates are competing for seats under the proportional representation system.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: All About Nepal General Election 2026
Nepal’s House of Representatives consists of 275 seats. Of these, 165 members are elected through direct voting in constituencies, while the remaining 110 seats are distributed through a proportional representation system.
Under proportional representation, political parties nominate lawmakers based on the share of votes they receive nationwide.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Why This Election Is Important?
The election is widely viewed as a major test for Nepal’s political old guard, who have dominated the Himalayan nation’s leadership for more than a decade — Sher Bahadur Deuba of the Nepali Congress, KP Sharma Oli of the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML), and Pushpa Kamal Dahal of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre).
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Balen Shah's RSP Leading On 42 Seats As Per Early Trends
Of the 165 seats that see direct elections, Balen Shah’s Rashtriya Swatantrata Party is leading in 42. The Nepali Congress of Gagan Thapa is ahead in five seats.
Nepal Elections Results 2026 LIVE Updates: Counting Of Votes Underway
Counting of votes for Nepal’s general elections, the first since last year’s Gen Z protest against the KP Oli government, is underway. Early trends show Balen Shah’s Rashtriya Swatantrata Party is leading, according to The Kathmandu Post.
