Youth Surge in Far-Western Nepal Elections Amidst Traditional Parties' Stagnation

Dhangadhi. The atmosphere for the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21 is heating up in the Far-Western Province. Election-focused debate programs are being held in various places. A total of 207 candidates are competing in the electoral battle to reach the federal parliament from the 16 constituencies of the province.

Although 210 people initially registered their candidacies, there were some changes at the last moment. Two candidates withdrew their nominations, and one supported another candidate.

Rajesh Rawal, a 27-year-old candidate from the Ujyalo Nepal Party in Achham Constituency No. 2, has withdrawn his candidacy in support of Bhupdev Shah, the candidate from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP).

Analyzing the Far-Western Province's election statistics this time reveals a different atmosphere: the strong participation of the younger generation contesting the election. Out of the total 207 candidates, 66 (about 32 percent) are youths under 40 years old. Among these, 17 are very young candidates in the 30-year-old age group. The presence of female candidates, however, appears comparatively weak, with only 18 women competing for 16 seats.

Although there is a constant loud call for youth leadership in the country, the candidacy in the Far-Western Province shows the repetition of old faces from the major and traditional parties. Nepali Congress, the country's largest party, has not nominated a single youth under 40 for the 16 seats in the Far-Western Province. CPN-UML has only trusted one, while the CPN (Maoist Centre) has only two young candidates.

After major parties denied them tickets, youths have entered the electoral arena through newly discussed parties, smaller parties, and as independents. Youths have primarily filed their candidacies through RSP, Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party (NWPP), Miteri Party, United Civil Party, and independent campaigns.

Youth candidates in the 30-year-old age group are mostly taking their first steps in politics, but their profile is soaring.

KP Khanal, the 26-year-old RSP candidate from Kailali Constituency No. 2, is currently in the spotlight. Having built a good image on social media and among the public through a long-running cleanliness campaign, he has entered the electoral field.

Similarly, 30-year-old Bhupdev Shah from RSP in Achham Constituency No. 2 is gaining attention due to his candidacy. Having previously served as the personal secretary to Kathmandu Metropolitan City Mayor Balen Shah, Shah has entered the villages carrying the agenda of Balen Model development. Meanwhile, 27-year-old Om Prakash Rawal from RSP is showing a strong presence in Achham Constituency No. 1.

The wave of youths up to 30 years old is even denser in the Terai districts. In Kanchanpur-1, 27-year-old Daniel BK from the United Civil Party, 27-year-old Siyaram Rana from Miteri Party Nepal, and 27-year-old Anil Rana and 27-year-old Yadav Singh as independents are competing. All four fall within the Gen Z group.

There is also a predominance of young faces in various constituencies of Kailali. In Kailali-1, the youngest candidate, 25-year-old Sunita Bhandara from NWPP, is in the field, and 28-year-old Tapendra Shah is contesting as an independent in the same constituency.

In Kailali-2, 27-year-old Samjhana Bishta Thapa from Miteri Party, in Kailali-3, 30-year-old Junu Mahatara Shahi from NWPP, and in Kailali-5, 28-year-old Trishna Pun Magar from NWPP are seeking votes, representing both women and youth.

The enthusiasm of youth is not lacking in the hilly districts either. In Dadeldhura, 28-year-old Gorakh Bahadur Air has presented a challenge by contesting as an independent. In Achham-1, 26-year-old Surendra Shahi from NWPP and 29-year-old Prakash Kathayat from the CPN (Maoist) Biplav group are in the electoral field. Similarly, there is 30-year-old independent candidate Upendra Shahi in Bajura.

Not only up to 30 years old, but 66 youths in the 30 to 40 age group are also in the electoral field. In Kanchanpur-1 alone, there are 7 candidates under 40. Here, 40-year-old Krishnabahadur Chaudhary from Nagarik Unmukti Party, 32-year-old Michael Tamang from Ujyalo Nepal Party, 36-year-old Sita BK from Aam Janata Party, among others, are competing.

In Kanchanpur-2, 38-year-old Deepakraj Bohara from RSP, 39-year-old Madhavprasad Panta from CPN (UML), 40-year-old Lokendrabahadur BK from Maoist, along with independent candidates 35-year-old Harisbahadur Bhatt and 31-year-old Birendra Rana are in the field.

In Kanchanpur-3, 40-year-old Gyanendra Mahata from RSP and 39-year-old Lokraj Bhatt from Rastriya Mukti Party are contesting.

In the hilly district of Bajura, there are 4 candidates under 40, including 40-year-old Deepak Kumar DC from Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party and 33-year-old Hemraj Thapa from RSP who are in the spotlight. In Baitadi, 35-year-old Bishansingh Bohara from Aam Janata Party is the only candidate under 40.

In Dadeldhura, 39-year-old Lakshmidatta Bhatt from Jay Matribhumi Party and 35-year-old independent Surendra Rawal are trying to attract the votes of the new generation. In Darchula, 32-year-old Navraj Bhatt from CPN (Maoist) is a candidate, and in Bajhang, 38-year-old Shaileshkumar Singh from RSP is contesting. CPN-UML has fielded 32-year-old Deepak Dhami in Doti.

All 5 constituencies of Kailali have a large number of candidates under 40. There are 9 under-40 youths in Kailali-1, 4 in Kailali-2, 4 in Kailali-3, 6 in Kailali-4, and 4 in Kailali-5 contesting the elections.

The arrival of so many youths in the election at once is being viewed by voters in the Far-Western Province as a sign of positive change. Local voter Omprakash Chaudhary from Kanchanpur said, 'It is a good sign to see youths contesting elections in such large numbers. The fact that youths are entering politics is proof that they care about the country. Victory or defeat aside, people are starting to feel that the youth must be elected to build the nation.'

These young candidates offer a new alternative for voters weary of the delays, corruption, and old faces of the traditional parties.

These youths are currently campaigning in villages using new styles. They are in the electoral field using door-to-door canvassing in a simple manner and social media as their weapons.