Mar 07, Kathmandu - Counting of votes in the Jhapa-5 parliamentary constituency is ongoing.

As of 11 a.m. on Saturday, out of 67,855 votes counted, proposed Prime Minister candidate Balen Shah of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has secured 42,543 votes.

In the area known as the "Red Fortress" of UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli, Balen Shah has established a lead of 31,116 votes over his main opponent. The UML candidate, KP Sharma Oli, has received 11,427 votes so far.

The UML has effectively conceded moral defeat. Party General Secretary Shankar Pokhrel has congratulated both RSP and Balen Shah, indicating that UML has accepted its defeat.