Balendra Shah, a former rapper, has emerged victorious in Nepal's parliamentary elections, with his centrist party, the RSP, winning a majority by securing 182 out of 275 parliamentary seats. The election results were released by the electoral commission on Thursday following the March 5th election. The main opposition party, the Nepali Congress, fell significantly behind with just 38 seats, while the Maoists managed to secure 25 seats.

This election marks a significant political shift in Nepal, being the first parliamentary vote since lethal protests against government corruption occurred in September 2025, which forced the previous government to resign. The protests initially began as a youth movement opposing a brief social media ban but quickly escalated to broader demonstrations against corruption and the weakening economy.

Shah's success points to a growing desire among the electorate for change, particularly from younger voters who rallied against the traditional political elite in recent years. The results of this election could have far-reaching consequences for Nepal’s political landscape and its efforts to address the challenges of corruption and economic instability.