Nepal election marks full rise of Gen Z as a political force

As of Monday evening Nepal time, Balendra Shah's Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) had won 125 of the 165 seats allocated through the first past the post (FPTP) system.

A Gen Z voter in Nepal.

RSP’s landslide victory of the Nepalese 2026 general election marks a historic shift in the country's political landscape and represents the comprehensive rise of "Gen Z" as a political force.

For the first time since 1959, a single party has ever held such a massive parliamentary advantage in Nepal, breaking the long-standing political deadlock of coalition governments.

The RSP leader Balendra Shah (nicknamed Balen) defeated former Prime Minister and CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli in Jhapa Constituency No. 5 by a staggering margin of 68,348 votes to 18,724. This victory symbolizes the complete breach of traditional political strongholds.

Disappointed by the Nepali Congress and CPN that have long held power but failed to resolve economic stagnation and rampant corruption, Nepali citizens have rallied behind the RSP as an "outsider." The party captured the anti-establishment voters with its promises of "anti-corruption, good governance, and digitalization."

The Gen Z Protest in September 2025 served as a catalyst for this election. The strong demands of young voters (aged 18-35) for employment, dignity, and transparent governance were translated into support for Balen Shah through social media.

RSP possessing an absolute majority means the future new government will have unprecedented executive dominance, potentially ending Nepal's cycle of frequent government changes and ensuring policy continuity.