Balendra Shah Files Candidacy for Jhapa-5 Seat

20th January 2026, Kathmandu

In a major political development ahead of the upcoming parliamentary elections in Nepal, Balendra Shah, popularly known as Balen, officially registered his candidacy for Jhapa-5 on January 20, 2026. Arriving at the Election Officer office in Damak, Shah submitted his nomination papers for the House of Representatives election scheduled for March 5, 2026 (Falgun 21, 2082).

Balendra Shah Files Candidacy 

Previously, Shah had secured the party ticket from the chairman of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Rabi Lamichhane, following a high profile unification agreement in late 2025. Addressing a massive crowd of supporters after filing his nomination, Shah emphasized his commitment to bringing a change agenda to the electorate. His entry has instantly transformed Jhapa-5 into the most closely watched constituency in the country, symbolizing a generational shift in the politics of Nepal.

High-Profile Contest in Jhapa-5

Jhapa-5 has become a political hotspot due to the direct contest between Balen Shah and KP Sharma Oli, the chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (UML). This constituency has long been considered the invincible bastion of Oli, who has represented the area for decades and was elected with a record breaking margin in the previous general election.

Both candidates are presenting themselves as potential future Prime Ministers of Nepal, which has intensified the stakes of this electoral battle. Analysts note that the contest is no longer just a local race but a national referendum on traditional versus new generation leadership. With the Rastriya Swatantra Party officially projecting Balen as its Prime Ministerial face, the battle in Jhapa-5 will influence the broader national political narrative.

The Vision of Balendra Shah

Balen Shah, who resigned as the Mayor of Kathmandu on January 18 to enter the federal race, has positioned himself as a reform oriented candidate. His campaign in Jhapa-5 is built on the momentum of the Gen Z movement and focuses on addressing systemic governance issues.

Key pillars of his political vision for the constituency include:

Transparent Governance: Implementing anti-corruption measures at the federal level similar to his initiatives in the capital.

Local Employment: Creating economic reforms to boost entrepreneurship and prevent the migration of youth from the Jhapa district.

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Infrastructure Completion: Prioritizing the completion of long standing local projects that have faced delays under the previous leadership.

Youth Mobilization: Leveraging social media and direct engagement to attract the significant demographic of first time and young voters in the region.

Strategic Importance and Election Context

The upcoming House of Representatives election is being held following a period of significant political upheaval in late 2025. This snap election has generated immense energy across the nation, with major parties fielding their top leaders in high stakes contests.

Jhapa-5 is strategically important because it tests whether the urban popularity of Balen Shah can translate into rural and suburban support in a UML stronghold. While KP Sharma Oli relies on a massive organizational network and a history of development work in the region, the candidacy of Shah is attracting dissatisfied voters from across the spectrum. Notably, local leaders from other parties, including the Nepali Congress, have begun joining the Rastriya Swatantra Party to support the bid of Shah.

Voter Engagement and Anticipation

As the campaign officially begins following the nomination day, the residents of Damak, Kamal, and Gauradaha are witnessing an unprecedented level of political activity. Supporters of Balen Shah have already started door to door mobilization, while the UML machinery is counteracting with large scale rallies showcasing the national stature of Oli.

Political science professors suggest that the outcome in Jhapa-5 will serve as a bellwether for the entire country. If a newcomer like Shah can challenge or unseat a political titan like Oli in his home ground, it will signal a fundamental change in the appetite for reform in Nepal. On the other hand, a victory for Oli would reaffirm the resilience of the established party structures.

Conclusion

The official candidacy of Balendra Shah in Jhapa-5 has set the stage for a historic showdown. As both Shah and KP Sharma Oli position themselves as the primary contenders for the Prime Ministership, this constituency has become a microcosm of the evolving political landscape of the nation. The forthcoming parliamentary election on March 5 will not only determine the representative for this specific area but will also signal the broader direction of the governance and political engagement of Nepal for the next five years.

For More: Balendra Shah Files Candidacy