RSP Leads Early Vote Counts; Balen Surges Ahead of Oli in Jhapa-5
shows the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) leading in many constituencies nationwide. As of the latest updates, the RSP is ahead in 108 constituencies, followed by the Nepali Congress in 13, CPN-UML in 10, and the Nepali Communist Party in 7.
So far, the RSP has won three seats. In Kathmandu-6, Shishir Khanal received 27,711 votes, defeating Krishna Baniya Chhetri of the Nepali Congress, who secured 6,647 votes. In Kathmandu-8, Biraj Bhakta Shrestha won with 24,592 votes, surpassing Suman Sayami of the Nepali Communist Party, who received 3,217 votes. Ranju Neupane claimed Kathmandu-1 with 15,455 votes, while Prabal Thapa Chhetri of the Nepali Congress garnered 6,364 votes.
The Nepali Congress has captured two seats so far. Yogesh Gauchan Thakali won Mustang-1 with 3,307 votes, ahead of CPN-UML's Indra Dhara Dhadhu Bista, who obtained 1,706 votes. Tek Bahadur Gurung claimed Manang-1 with 2,415 votes, defeating Yosodha Gurung (Subedi) of the Nepali Communist Party, who received 454 votes.
The Nepali Communist Party has secured a seat as well. Party coordinator and former Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal won Rukum Purba-1 with 10,240 votes, while Lila Mani Gautam of CPN-UML received 3,462 votes.
In first-past-the-post tallies across constituencies, the RSP is leading with 16,726 votes. The Nepali Congress follows with 4,987 votes, CPN-UML has 1,802 votes, the Nepali Communist Party 564 votes, Rastriya Prajatantra Party 2,536 votes, and the Shram Sanskriti Party 686 votes.
Jhapa-5: Balen Gains Ground Over Oli
Jhapa-5 has become one of the most closely watched constituencies in the 2026 elections. The contest features KP Sharma Oli, former prime minister and chair of CPN-UML, against Balendra Shah (Balen), senior RSP leader and former mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City. Both are considered potential prime ministerial candidates depending on their parties’ overall performance.
Currently, Balen holds a strong lead in Jhapa-5. He has received 15,161 votes, while Oli has 3,344 votes.
Vote counting updates show Balen maintaining a consistent advantage throughout the day:
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7:55 am: Balen 1,478 | Oli 385
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1:33 pm: Balen 5,254 | Oli 1,248
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3:47 pm: Balen 6,551 | Oli 1,428
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5:10 pm: Balen 10,466 | Oli 2,205
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5:20 pm: Balen 11,945 | Oli 2,692
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6:30 pm: Balen 13,654 | Oli 3,011
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Latest: Balen 15,169 | Oli 3,344
Out of 22,691 votes counted so far, 21,641 are valid. The trend indicates a widening margin for Balen, with his votes growing faster than Oli’s in successive counts.
Historically, Jhapa-5 has been considered a stronghold for KP Sharma Oli, who won here in almost every election since 2008, including a decisive victory in 2023 with 54,319 votes and a margin of 28,576. However, this year’s early results suggest a shift in voter sentiment, with Balen leading comfortably.
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