Election Buzz Absent in Mustang as Voters and Candidates Remain in Cities Due to Cold Weather

Baglung. The country is gearing up for elections, with only two weeks remaining. Election discussions are everywhere, from street corners to public squares. However, in the Himalayan district of Mustang, there is no sign of election fervor. Villages and settlements are deserted. Even in the district headquarters, Jomsom, there is no visible election activity. Mustang residents, who descended to the cities to escape the cold in Mangsir, have not yet returned to their villages. Most candidates are also staying in the cities.

Those who arrived in Mustang on Magh 6 to file their candidacies are also currently in the cities.

Most Mustang candidates campaigned in Pokhara and Kathmandu because that is where their voters reside. Due to the extreme cold in Mustang, most locals spend the winter months in the cities. While there is some tourist activity in Jomsom market now, the upper regions remain deserted.

Since the voters are not in the villages, the candidates are also staying in Pokhara and Kathmandu.

While the candidate from the CPN (UML), Ngutung Gurung, has returned to Mustang, many other candidates are still in Pokhara and Kathmandu. According to Aditya Rasaili of Gharphajhong Rural Municipality-3, over 80 percent of voters have gone to major cities across the country to escape the cold. He mentions that Mustang residents typically stay in urban areas from Mangsir to Chaitra every year. He adds that it is difficult to reside in various places, including Lomanthang and Lo-Ghekar Damodarkunda Rural Municipalities, as it is currently snowing. Rasaili notes, 'This time, the possibility of many voters participating in the election is low due to the cold. All the voters are down in the plains. It remains to be seen if they will come to vote. Upper Mustang residents only return to the villages after Chaitra. Before that, it is impossible to stay due to snow. This time, the election is being held before the cold season ends. How many voters will participate?'

Candidates Preparing to Ascend to Mustang

Mustang candidates are currently in Pokhara and Kathmandu. Some have already started door-to-door campaigning in the cities. For the upcoming election, eight parties, including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Centre), and Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), have registered candidates here.

Yogesh Gauchan Thakali, the candidate from the Nepali Congress, explained that he had to stay in India for an extended period for a relative's medical treatment, preventing him from meeting voters. He stated that since most voters are in Kathmandu and Pokhara, he is preparing to meet them. Gauchan mentioned that he plans to return to Mustang in about a week.

'The election is approaching, and I haven't even done door-to-door campaigning yet. I haven't had general discussions with voters; I was in India for a long time because a relative fell ill, and I only returned a few days ago,' said Gauchan. 'All the village voters are in the cities; they will only ascend to Mustang once the cold subsides. I will meet the voters and head to Mustang in five or seven days.'

Indradhara Dhadu Bista, the CPN-UML candidate, also stated that he is currently consulting with voters in Kathmandu. He mentioned that he is informing voters in the cities about his agenda and seeking their votes, adding that he will return to Mustang in a few days. Bista said, 'It is still cold in Mustang; what is the point of going up so early? All the voters are here. My main agenda here is promoting tourism in Mustang and building infrastructure on the Nepali side of the Korala border pass. I have been conveying this to the voters in the cities. I will return in a few days. Nobody is up there right now.'

The CPN (Maoist Centre) candidate, Gurung, returned to Mustang from Pokhara on Monday. He informed that he ascended to Mustang after meeting voters in Pokhara and Kathmandu. He noted that despite the approaching election date, there is no activity in Mustang.

'Mustang is still deserted due to the cold. The warmth will gradually increase. Voters might also ascend (to Mustang) in five or seven days,' he said. 'I will win the election this time. This time is a bit different from the last election. Many parties have united now. We must eradicate corruption in the country.'

Aditya Chandra Thakali of the RSP also mentioned that he is busy with door-to-door campaigning as all the voters are in the cities. He stated that he is currently consulting with voters in Kathmandu and will not ascend to Mustang immediately. He said, 'It's no use if only I go to Mustang. I cannot leave the voters behind. They will ask where the candidate is. There is no point in going up so soon. Election campaigning and door-to-door visits are happening here.'

Mustang, which has only one electoral constituency, has a total of 11,328 voters and 39 polling centers, according to the District Election Office, Mustang. This time, candidates in the electoral field include Gauchan from Nepali Congress, Bista from CPN-UML, Gurung from CPN (Maoist Centre), Thakali from Rastriya Swatantra Party, Ajay Bik from Aam Janata Party, Yambhadur Gurung from Mongol National Organisation, Kamala Lalchan from Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and Dr. Surendra Sherchan from Ujyalo Party.