Voters in Kailali's Constituency-5 Express Skepticism Over Election Promises Amid Campaigning

Sudurpashchim. “They give attractive slogans during elections to lure the public, but forget their promises after winning. This time, I will vote for a candidate who can solve our problems,” said Jaguram Chaudhary, a voter in Kailali Constituency-5, reacting to the upcoming election. “We don't get fertilizer during the farming season, nor do we get a fair price for our agricultural produce. No matter who wins the election, no one seems to understand our suffering.”

Ramdin Chaudhary, a local from the same ward, stated he would vote for anyone who could secure the land title deed for the two kattha of public land he has occupied for three decades. Voters in this area complain that development issues raised during election time remain unaddressed. Due to the lack of resolution on these issues, voters are not convinced by the agendas currently being put forward by the candidates in the upcoming election.

As the fervor of election campaigning increases, candidates are busy visiting door-to-door to win the hearts of the voters. Candidates are organizing neighborhood gatherings and corner meetings. At places like squares, resting spots (chautari), and tea stalls, people are making their own predictions about victory and defeat in the election.

The electoral agendas raised by the candidates in Constituency-5 appear largely similar. Candidates are seeking votes by prioritizing agendas such as the construction of the Phapla Cricket Ground, upgrading the Dhangadhi Airport, upgrading the Seti Provincial Hospital, and operating the Martyr Dasharath Chand University at full capacity.

These same issues were discussed in previous elections. Among these, the Martyr Dasharath Chand University has entered the process of operation, while the DPR for the construction of the Phapla Cricket Ground has been prepared, but further work has not progressed. Besides these, candidates have also made corruption control, good governance, job creation, use and expansion of information technology, health sector reform, youth self-employment and entrepreneurship, and agricultural and economic development their election issues.

Many candidates have already published their manifestos. The manifestos include attractive slogans designed to please the voters. Some candidates have even gone as far as forging kinship ties (mitery) with individuals from other communities to garner votes in their favor. The strategy of candidates visiting homes with boxes of sweets to ask for votes appears unusual.

Voter Maya Bhatt from Constituency No. 5 said, “Those who plead during the election do not return after winning. Even though efforts are being made to appease voters with pleas now, voters seem prepared to vote for mature and correct candidates in a judicious manner.”

Another voter, Keshav Pathak, stated that the current election is taking place under different circumstances than in the past, allowing voters to vote thoughtfully. He said, “Some election analysis news appearing in the media and information circulating on social media seem different from reality; voters have become much more aware.” Candidates are increasing their use of materials designed to woo voters through social media and other information technology platforms.

In this constituency, the candidates include Naranarayan Shah of the Nepali Congress, Yagyaraj Dhungana of the CPN (UML), Prem Bahadur Ale of the CPN, Anand Bahadur Chand of the Rastriya Swatantra Party, Chandra Saund of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, and Roshan Shahi of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party.

Similarly, Dhan Bahadur Chaudhary of the Janmat Party, Jagannath Chaudhary of the Nagarik Unmukti Party Nepal, Bajrang Bahadur Singh of the CPN (Maoist), Shobhamani Joshi of the Rastriya Janamorcha, Devsingh Bista of the Aam Janata Party, Trishna Punmgar of the Nepal Workers and Peasants Party, Radhikakumari Karki of the Miteri Party Nepal, and independents Pyarelal Rana and Ishwari Bista are also candidates.