All 44 Candidates in Makwanpur Maintain Candidacy for House of Representatives Election

Hetauda. The candidacies of 44 individuals who registered nominations for the upcoming House of Representatives elections in the two constituencies of Makwanpur have been upheld. According to the Office of the Election Officer, Makwanpur, all candidates in both constituencies have proceeded as no one withdrew their nomination.

Chief Election Officer Geeta Shrestha informed that no candidate submitted a withdrawal application during the stipulated period for withdrawal, which was scheduled from 10 AM to 3 PM on Friday. This election in Makwanpur's two constituencies presents a scene of generational transition. Representation by youth and women is notably visible, ranging from established traditional parties to new parties and independent candidates.

The fact that approximately 15 young candidates between the ages of 25 and 40 are entering the electoral arena suggests increasing intervention by the new generation in politics. The electoral contest in Makwanpur appears interesting, pitting the experience of established veteran leaders against the new vision of 'Gen Z' and youth.

The youngest candidate in the election is 25 years old. Representing the 'Gen Z' generation, the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) has fielded a candidate in Makwanpur-2. Prashant Upreti (25 years old), the RSP candidate in Makwanpur-2, is the youngest candidate in the district.

In Makwanpur-1, Prakash Gautam, 37, is the RSP candidate. Similarly, Dr. Pravin Kumar Syangtan, 30, from Ujyalo Nepal Party, and Surendra Lama, 36, are contesting. Syangtan is a candidate from Makwanpur-2, and Lama from Makwanpur-1.

From the CPN (Maoist Centre), Mahesh Nepali, 38, is a candidate in Makwanpur-1, and Ram Ghale, 36, in Makwanpur-2. In Makwanpur-2, Deepak Shintan, 34, from Janata Samajbadi Party, Yunesh Lama Shintan, 34, from Sanskriti Party, Nirbahadur Shintan, 34, from Rastriya Janamorcha, and Shubharaj Praja, 36, from Sanyukta Nagarik Party are also in the electoral fray.

Older and established parties have prioritized veteran and experienced leaders. Both the Congress and UML have fielded experienced and older faces as candidates, putting leaders around 60 years of age into competition.

In Makwanpur-1, Mahalakshmi Upadhyaya 'Dina' from the Nepali Congress is 61 years old, while Buddhi Lama, the Congress candidate in Makwanpur-2, is 58. Rameshwor Rana Magar, the UML candidate in Makwanpur-1, is 63 years old. However, the UML has nominated a younger candidate, Mahesh Kumar Bartoula, 43, in Makwanpur-2.

The CPN (Unified Socialist) has also sent young candidates into the field. Vijay Gautam (40 years old) is a candidate from Makwanpur-1, while Labhshere Bista (54 years old) is contesting from Makwanpur-2.

The RPP has fielded the oldest candidates. Deepak Bahadur Singh, a candidate from Makwanpur-1, is 64 years old, making him the oldest among the party candidates. The RPP candidate from Makwanpur-2, Ram Bahadur Thokar, is 59 years old.

Wave of Youth Among Independent Candidates

The number of young individuals contesting independently in this election is also significant. Out of a total of 11 independent candidates, four are under 40 years of age. Among the female candidates, four are independent and only three are representing political parties. This indicates that parties are still hesitant to give tickets to women in decisive political roles.

Young independent candidates in the electoral competition include Pratichhya Baniya, 31, Rajaram Bogati, 38, Sita Maya Bal, 38, and Sushila Subedi, 39.

Out of the total 44 candidates, the presence of women is only seven (about 16 percent). In Makwanpur-1, candidates include Mahalakshmi Upadhyaya 'Dina', 61, from Nepali Congress; Vidya Shrestha Maharjan, 49, from Shram Sanskriti Party; Ranjana Suwal Magaju, 54, from Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party; Sushila Subedi, 39, and Pramila Kumari Khatiwada, 42, as independents. In Makwanpur-2, Pratichhya Baniya, 31, and Sita Maya Bal, 38, are independent candidates.