Rapper-turned-mayor Balen Shah emerges as frontrunner in Nepal’s March 5 election

Rapper‑turned‑politician Balendra “Balen” Shah has emerged as the leading contender to become Nepal’s next prime minister ahead of the March 5 general election , reflecting a significant shift in a political landscape long dominated by traditional elites. A former mayor of Kathmandu, the 35‑year‑old Balen has galvanised support, particularly among younger voters, with his direct social media engagement and urban reform agenda after resigning as mayor in January to contest the national polls under the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) banner. Analysts and local media project him as the front‑runner despite the absence of formal opinion polls.

The election follows last year’s youth‑led “Gen‑Z” uprising that forced the resignation of former prime minister K.P. Sharma Oli , propelling fresh political momentum and nearly 3,500 candidates contesting 275 seats. A total of 165 lawmakers will be chosen via first‑past‑the‑post voting and 110 via proportional representation, designed to enhance ethnic and gender diversity in parliament.

In preparation for voting, the government has declared public holidays on March 4, 5 and 6 to aid voter turnout, while sections of the Nepal‑India border in Madhesh and Baitadi districts will be sealed for 72 hours prior to the polls to ensure order. Security agencies have deployed over 300,000 personnel nationwide , with army, police and temporary forces positioned at constituencies and dedicated IT cells established to counter misinformation, deepfakes and misinformation threats. Prime Minister Sushila Karki and senior officials say preparations are complete and that the election will be conducted free, fair and peaceful despite rumours of postponement circulating on social media.

Campaigns have focused heavily on infrastructure and cross‑border connectivity , with parties emphasising roads and bridges in border regions to appeal to local voters. While Balen’s popularity is strong, established figures including former prime ministers and senior party leaders remain in the contest in key constituencies, underscoring a competitive and unpredictable election climate.

Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said vote counting will begin immediately after ballot collection, with first‑past‑the‑post results expected within 24 hours and proportional representation outcomes shortly thereafter, assuring that Nepal’s democratic process will continue on schedule.