Rastriya Swatantra Party leads early vote count in Nepal’s parliamentary election

KATHMANDU: Early trends from the vote counting of Nepal’s recently concluded House of Representatives election indicate a strong start for the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), which has taken a commanding early lead across multiple constituencies.

According to preliminary results released during the ongoing vote tally, the Rastriya Swatantra Party has secured an early advantage in 84 constituencies nationwide. The party has also already recorded a confirmed victory in the Kathmandu–1 constituency, marking a significant milestone in the election and signaling growing support for the relatively new political force.

The parliamentary election for Nepal’s lower house, the House of Representatives of Nepal, was held on Thursday amid high voter turnout and widespread public interest. Counting began soon after the polls closed and is expected to continue for several hours as ballots from across the country are processed.

Early figures suggest that the Rastriya Swatantra Party may emerge as a major player in the national legislature if the current trend continues. Political analysts say the party’s strong performance reflects a wave of public desire for political change and dissatisfaction with traditional parties that have dominated Nepal’s politics for decades.

Trailing behind in the early count is the Nepali Congress, which currently holds second place. The party has won one confirmed seat so far and is leading in a total of eight constituencies. Although the Nepali Congress remains one of the country’s most established political forces, its early results appear modest compared to the rapid surge shown by the RSP in the preliminary tally.

Close behind in the race is the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre), which is also leading in eight constituencies according to the latest available updates. The Maoist Centre has traditionally maintained strong support in several regions and remains a key player in Nepal’s coalition politics.

Meanwhile, the Communist Party of Nepal (Unified Marxist–Leninist) (CPN-UML), another major political party in the country, is currently in fourth position. The party has taken an early lead in seven constituencies as vote counting continues.

Election officials have cautioned that these numbers represent only initial trends and may change significantly as more ballots are counted from remaining polling stations. Final results will determine the exact distribution of seats in the 275-member House of Representatives, which forms the lower chamber of Nepal’s federal parliament.

Observers note that if the Rastriya Swatantra Party maintains its early momentum, it could dramatically reshape Nepal’s political landscape. Founded only a few years ago, the party has campaigned on a platform of good governance, anti-corruption measures, and political reform, appealing particularly to younger voters and urban populations.

The outcome of the election will play a crucial role in determining the next government and shaping Nepal’s policy direction in the coming years. Coalition negotiations are expected to follow once the final results are announced, as parties seek to secure a governing majority in parliament.

Vote counting is ongoing across the country, and election authorities say more definitive results will be released as the tally progresses.