Nepal's Balendra Shah holds unassailable poll lead for seat: Commission figures
Shah led with more than 47,500 votes, with Oli trailing behind on 12,600.
Balendra Shah, 35, a former rapper and composer who currently serves as the mayor of Kathmandu, popularly known as 'Balen,' attends Indra Jatra festival at Kathmandu Durbar Square in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 6 September 2025. File Photo: Reuters
Nepal's rapper-turned-politician Balendra Shah held an unassailable lead against ousted prime minister KP Sharma Oli in the highly contested face-off in Nepal's southeastern district of Jhapa, according to data by the Election Commission.
Shah led with more than 47,500 votes, with Oli trailing behind on 12,600.
With about 70% of votes counted, AFP calculations show Shah has passed the winning threshold.
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