Voter Apathy and Youth Excitement Mark Upcoming Elections in Dhanusha Constituency-1

Janakpurdham. Regarding the upcoming House of Representatives election, while the youth in Dhanusha Constituency No. 1 are highly enthusiastic, older voters show considerable disappointment.

Even as candidates meet with voters in various localities after filing their nominations, many voters do not feel that an election is approaching. They state that they have lost interest in politics due to the conduct of the leaders.

The general electorate in Dhanusha Constituency No. 1 shows little enthusiasm for the election, citing the failure of past elected representatives to address infrastructure development and the basic problems of the people. However, the youth appear excited, claiming they will bring about a wave of change.

Sita Devi from Dhanushadham Municipality-1 stated that she does not even know who the candidates are in her constituency. "We hear in the village that an election is happening, but we don't know when it is or who the candidates are," she said. "Even if there is an election, what will happen to us? Those who win elections become big people; they won't recognize us, nor will the village's problems be solved."

Complaining about the lack of facilities for the working class who earn their living through hard labor in the village, she said that following elections or political parties is useless. "What will an election do for people who work to eat?" she asked. "We have voted many times, but nothing ever changes."

Girija Devi, who has been running a tea stall near the Satokhar temple for years, shared her experience that leaders make various promises during elections but neglect them afterward. She said, "They promised to manage the pond's ghat and the temple, but nothing has been done yet. If this area were managed, there would be good tourism potential. Currently, no candidate seems trustworthy."

According to her, no candidate has come to ask for votes for this election yet. "Villagers come to this tea stall and chat, but no one has openly asked for votes," she said. "With one week left until the election, we will all discuss together and vote for whoever brings development."

Shanti Devi Mahara of Dhanushadham complained about health and security issues. She said, "When we go to the health post, they don't give medicine; they tell us to buy it from outside. We don't feel secure in the village either. It's scary going to the fields. We hear big talk for Dalits, but we receive nothing in practice."

When asked about the election, she said she had no information. She added that no candidate has come to seek votes yet.

In that area of Dhanusha, it is not just Shanti Devi; the elderly and the poor in Satokhar and Bhathiyan villages also show little interest in the election. However, the youth appear active.

Jeevcch Yadav, a resident of Sabaila, said that although he knows the election is on Falgun 21, he is not very aware of who the candidates are. "I hear the same old candidates are competing this time," he questioned. "What have they done so far?"

Zuber Ansari of Bhathiyan stated that although his hair and beard have turned gray from voting in various elections, the leaders have failed to work satisfactorily on political stability and development in the country. He asked, "There is a road, but no drainage. During the monsoon, floodwater enters the courtyard. What kind of development is this? There is no irrigation system for farming. How can we farm?"

Ansari said that one cannot expect anything from leaders other than them making grand promises to appease voters during election time. "The country is moving towards change. Now we must also support the younger generation and the new generation," he said.

Govinda Mandal of Mithileshwar stated that they will no longer follow leaders or political parties. "We have been cheated by leaders many times. Where is the feeling of good governance and peace? Even when going to government offices, work doesn't happen without a bribe. They have done nothing to benefit the public," he said.

Stating that they have decided to act as conscious citizens above party lines, Mandal clarified that they will vote by looking for a person who understands the people's concerns.

Some farmers complain about not receiving government subsidies. They mention hearing that the government provides subsidies to farmers, but this benefit does not reach the actual farmers, alleging that only the well-connected receive the subsidies.

Ram Paltan Sah of the Nepali Congress is the candidate in Dhanusha-1. Except for him, candidates from most other parties are familiar faces. Matrika Yadav, the candidate from the Communist Party of Nepal, was also a candidate in the 2074 and 2079 elections. He was elected in 2074 and also served as the Minister of Forest. Deepak Karki of the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal also participated in both elections, winning in 2079.

Ramchandra Mandal of UML was a candidate from the then CPN (Maoist Centre) in the first and second Constituent Assembly elections but was defeated. Kishori Sah, the candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party, was elected as a Provincial Assembly member from UML in 2074. This is his first time competing for the House of Representatives.

In this constituency, considered a stronghold of the Nepali Congress, Congress leader Anand Prasad Dhungana participated in four different elections from 2048 to 2079. He won in 2048, 2051, and 2056, but was defeated in 2079. This time, he is a proportional representation candidate.

Dhanusha Constituency No. 1 comprises a total of 45 wards across seven local levels. This includes Ganesh Man Charnath Municipality, Dhanushadham Municipality, some wards of Hanspur Municipality, Mithila Bihari, Ksheshwarnath Municipality, and wards of Mithila Municipality.