Nepal election shock: Rapper-politician Balen Shah’s party surges in early vote count
Nepal is counting votes after its March 5 parliamentary election, the first national vote since the deadly 2025 youth-led uprising that forced the previous government from power. Early tallies show a strong surge for a new political force linked to Kathmandu mayor Balendra “Balen” Shah. Counting continues and the final results will determine Nepal’s next government.