"The Rastriya Swatantra Party–Balendra Shah alliance has been banned by the Election Commission and cannot contest the 2026 elections."

Media coverage clearly shows that the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah have formed a political partnership ahead of the 2026 elections, with Shah projected as a prime ministerial candidate if the alliance wins a majority. There is no credible reporting that the Election Commission has banned this alliance from contesting.

What the Commission has done is issue clarification notices to Balendra Shah and others regarding alleged violations of the Election Code of Conduct, including possible misuse of security personnel. Such notices are part of routine enforcement and, by themselves, do not amount to a ban or disqualification.

If the EC were to prohibit a party or alliance from competing, it would have to do so through a formal, public decision referencing relevant election laws. No such decision has been announced. Therefore, claims that the alliance is already banned are false, although its activities remain under EC scrutiny like those of other actors.