Twenty Women Candidates Vie for Parliamentary Seats in Sunsari Ahead of February 21 Election

Sunsari. A total of 20 women candidates, including independents, are in the electoral race for the House of Representatives election scheduled for February 21 in Sunsari district.

All candidates are busy campaigning door-to-door, meeting voters directly, and presenting their agendas to seek votes. The women candidates are committing to advancing development plans by identifying local needs.

In Sunsari, which has four constituencies, there are 11 women candidates from political parties and 9 independent female candidates. According to the Chief Election Officer Prakash Raut, out of 110 candidates in Sunsari, including those from political parties and independents, 20 are women. In Constituency No. 1, Goma Tamang from the Rastriya Swatantra Party and Jivankala Rai as an independent have filed their candidacies.  

In Constituency No. 2, candidates include Ramkumari Chaudhary from the Communist Party of Nepal, Gitamaya Bajiko from the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, Tajina Bisht from the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, Tulasa Limbu from the Federal Democratic National Forum, and Krishnakumari Danuwar from the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Centre). Independent candidates include Anjanadevi Gupta and Roshni Rai.  

Similarly, in Constituency No. 3, Bhagwati Chaudhary from the CPN (UML) and Prakriti Basi from the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party have filed their candidacies. Independent candidates include Kasni Tharuni, Kumari Uraw, and Sumankumari Chaudhary.  

In Constituency No. 4, Sabita Yadav from the Janata Samajbadi Party Nepal and Chanchala Nhisutu from the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party have filed their candidacies, while independent candidates include Parbati Mukhiya, Phulkumari Khan, and Yamuna KC, according to the Election Office.

In the context of the House of Representatives election in Sunsari on February 21, women voters are searching for candidates who can advance women-friendly policies and programs. Voters appear attracted to candidates prioritizing education, health, employment, control of violence against women, and economic empowerment.

According to the Election Office, preparations for voting in the district are rapidly underway. All ballot papers for proportional representation and direct elections have arrived. Polling stations have been determined, and staff mobilized in all constituencies of the district.

Former Minister Bhagwati Chaudhary is contesting from Constituency No. 3 on behalf of the CPN (UML). Chaudhary won the 2070 election by defeating Nepali Congress leader Bijay Kumar Gachhadar. They are both in the field this time as well.  

Likewise, Goma Tamang from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP) is contesting from Constituency No. 1.  

Nirmala Rai, a voter from Dharan Sub-Metropolitan City-15, stated that they need women who understand women's issues.  

According to the District Election Office, Sunsari, which has four constituencies, has 580,945 registered voters. Across the 12 local levels in the district, there are 294,252 male voters, 286,691 female voters, and two third-gender voters. The district has 167 polling stations and 624 polling centers designated.