Women Outnumber Men as Voters in Chitwan-1 Constituency, Yet Representation in Candidacy Remains Low

Chitwan. In Constituency No. 1 of Chitwan, which encompasses three municipalities, the number of female voters exceeds half of the total. However, the number of female candidates remains very low.

This constituency, covering Ratnanagar, Khairahani, and Rapti municipalities in eastern Chitwan, has a total of 149,621 voters. Of these, 75,860 are female voters, accounting for 50.70 percent. The number of male voters is 73,761, which is 49.30 percent. Despite the higher number of female voters, out of the 18 candidates contesting for the House of Representatives election, only two are women. These two are from smaller parties.

The Rastriya Janamorcha has nominated Sita Devi Chhetri, and National Republic Nepal has nominated Ishwari Gurung. Major parties that have won elections previously have failed to field female candidates from this constituency. The Office of the Election Officer stated that there are candidates from 15 political parties, along with three independent candidates contesting from this area.

Among the voters in this constituency, 50 percent are Khas Arya. Indigenous Janajatis make up 33.33 percent, while according to the Election Commission's data, Tharu, Dalit, and Madhesi communities each account for 5.56 percent.

This constituency has 168 polling stations across 56 polling centers. Some parts of Rapti Municipality in this constituency fall in the hilly region, while the rest is flat terrain.