Former prime minister and CPN-UML chair KP Sharma Oli has filed his candidacy from Jhapa-5, setting the stage for a high-profile electoral contest in the constituency.

Jhapa-5 has already drawn national attention as Balendra Shah (Balen), former mayor of Kathmandu Metropolitan City and a senior leader of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), has also registered his candidacy from the same seat. The RSP has projected Balen as a potential future prime minister, making the contest against Oli particularly significant.

Nepali Communist Party has fielded former student leader Ranjit Tamang as its candidate from Jhapa-5.

With heavyweight political figures entering the fray, the electoral battle in Jhapa-5 is expected to be one of the most competitive and closely followed contests of the upcoming election, with analysts predicting a direct and intense face-off between Oli and Balen.