Nepal's Jhapa contest is a high-stakes showdown in post-uprising polls

Two prime ministerial hopefuls, former PM KP Sharma Oli and ex-Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah, are competing in Jhapa-5 ahead of the March 5 national elections, the first vote since September's anti-corruption protests that toppled the government. The seat is seen as a test of public trust after youth-led unrest and widespread anger over corruption.

Two national figures are campaigning head-to-head in Jhapa-5 as Nepal prepares for March 5 parliamentary elections. This is the first national vote since widely reported anti-corruption protests in September that led to the government’s collapse. The demonstrations began amid a brief social media ban and expanded into broader anger over economic stagnation and an ageing political elite. Authorities and local sources reported that 77 people were killed over two days and hundreds of buildings were damaged, including parliament and courts. What is known: - Two prime ministerial candidates are contesting Jhapa-5: former prime minister KP Sharma Oli and former Kathmandu mayor Balendra Shah. - The March 5 nationwide elections are the first since the September protests that contributed to the previous government's fall. - Jhapa has about 163,000 registered voters and is a mix of towns and farming settlements near the India border. - The September unrest began under a Gen Z-led movement and expanded amid broader grievances over corruption and governance. - The campaign highlights a generational divide, with younger voters active on social media and older voters weighing loyalty and experience. Summary: The outcome in Jhapa-5 is being viewed as a barometer of public trust in Nepal’s fractured political leadership, and a local defeat for either high-profile candidate would likely affect their national ambitions. The immediate next stage is the nationwide vote on March 5, 2026, which will determine parliamentary composition and the direction of national leadership.