Fewer Youths Apply for Election Police Recruitment in Khotang Than Quota Set

Khotang. Fewer youths have applied for the Election Police in Khotang for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21 than the required quota. Only 1,173 applications were received against the set quota of 1,282 for the single constituency of the House of Representatives in Khotang.

According to Kopila Rai, Coordinator of the Election Police Recruitment Selection and Appointment Subcommittee and Assistant Chief District Officer of the District Administration Office, the government had set the deadline for applications for election police recruitment from Poush 25 to Magh 1. However, as the required number of applications from the district's youth was not met, the deadline was extended until Magh 3.

The written and oral examinations for the election police recruitment were conducted on Thursday at the Maticore playground in Diktel. Assistant Chief District Officer Rai, who is also the Coordinator of the Election Police Recruitment Selection and Appointment Subcommittee, informed that although the schedule was to publish the results of the election police selection by Magh 12, preparations are underway to publish the results even before that.

It has been stated that the shortfall of 109 election police required in Khotang, according to the quota set by the center, will be filled by recruiting personnel from neighboring districts. It is reported that the low remuneration set by the government for the election police being recruited for the upcoming election is the reason for the lack of interest among the youth.

For the House of Representatives election to be held in February, 136 polling stations and 195 polling centers have been designated in Khotang. The district, which has ten local levels, has 147,120 registered voters.

The Office of the Chief Election Officer stated that 15 candidates, including two independents, have registered their candidacies in Khotang for the election. Political analysts have indicated that a triangular contest is expected between the Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, and CPN (Maoist Centre).

Veer Kaji Rai, a General Convention Representative, registered his candidacy from the Nepali Congress, Dev Vikram Rai, the District Chairman, from the CPN-UML, and Dr. Hari Roka, an economist and leftist political analyst, from the CPN (Maoist Centre). Rudra Giri registered from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Rakesh Rai from the Janata Samajbadi Party (JSP), Deepak Tamang from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Sunil Chamling from the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal, Aren Rai from the Shram Sanskriti Party, Chandra Budhathoki ‘Sailes’ from the CPN (Maoist Centre), Dhyan Prasad Dhakal from the Nepal Mazdoor Kisan Party, Miresh Rai from the Rastriya Parivartan Party, Prayag Rai from the Mongol National Organisation Party, and Kesharman Chamling from the Miteri Party Nepal have registered their candidacies.

Similarly, the Office of the Chief Election Officer stated that Dr. Rajkumar Rai and Tilakchandra Rai have registered as independent candidates.