Sindhuli Voters Express Skepticism Amidst Intense Election Campaigning

Sindhuli. For the House of Representatives election scheduled for this coming Falgun 21, Sindhuli, which has 215,019 voters, has two electoral constituencies. Twenty-eight candidates are competing in the two constituencies. In Sindhuli-1, 110,391 voters will cast their ballots, comprising 57,202 males and 53,189 females.

Sindhuli-2 has 104,628 voters, with 54,122 males and 50,506 females. Candidates are currently busy reaching the doorsteps of voters scattered from rural settlements to urban areas of the district. As the election date approaches, the political fervor in the district is escalating. Teams including candidates are reaching voters' doorsteps as soon as the sun rises in the morning.

Villages and towns are painted with the flags of political parties, election symbols, campaign songs, pamphlets, and posters, along with the manifestos and commitment letters of individual candidates. However, the hearts of the district's voters have yet to be colored. Candidates are actively meeting voters, joining hands, smiling, and promising to build a developed and prosperous district. Voters, however, show little enthusiasm. Voters appear to be in a slightly different state compared to previous elections. As candidates solicit votes with joined hands and smiles while presenting their commitments, voters recount their own stories of disappointment.

They point out issues ranging from the lack of clean drinking water to problems with roads, health, education, and employment. Many young voters, suffering from the pain of unemployment, even express anger towards the candidates. They are particularly expressing dissatisfaction with leaders from older parties and candidates who visit villages during the election campaign. In this election, voters are not offering silent support to the candidates; they are holding them accountable by asking questions.

Questions like, 'Why were the commitments made in previous elections not fulfilled?' and 'Why did the development agendas written in the manifestos remain confined to paper?' are being asked by voters everywhere, from village crossroads to tea stalls in the market. "They make many promises when they visit doorsteps during the election. Reading the manifesto makes our area seem like it will become a model. We vote and send them to parliament. They don't look back at us. Is it right to seek us out only during elections?" complained Sabina Thapa, a voter residing in Amale, Ghyang-Lekh Rural Municipality-1.

In Sindhuli Electoral Constituency No.-1, there are 12 candidates competing for the House of Representatives seat, and in Sindhuli Electoral Constituency No.-2, there are 16 candidates in the electoral competition. According to the Chief Election Officer Kamal Raj Bista, candidates include Ujjwal Prasad Baral from the Nepali Congress, Pradip Kumar Katuwal Chhetri from CPN (UML), Dekendra Prasad Subedi from the Communist Party of Nepal, and Dhanendra Karki from the Rastriya Swatantra Party.

Similarly, there are candidacies from Motilal Tamang of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, Rajendra Bakhunche of the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, Sombahadur Ghale of the Mongol National Organisation, Nim Bahadur Moktan of the Shram Sanskriti Party, Santosh Kumar Sunuwar of the Rastriya Parivartan Party, and Ramnarayan Adhikari of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, along with Sushil Hamal and Amrit Bahadur Bik from CPN (Maoist) as independents.

Likewise, in Sindhuli-2, the candidates are Sushila Thing from the Nepali Congress, Manoj Jung Thapa from CPN UML, Lekhnath Dahal (Rajan) from the Communist Party of Nepal, and Ashish Gajurel from the Rastriya Swatantra Party. Candidates include Shantabir Lama from the Mongol National Organisation, Rameshwori Koju from the Nepal Workers' and Peasants' Party, Indra Bahadur Bik from the Shram Sanskriti Party, Rajan Achhami from the Miteri Party Nepal, Mukunda Prasad Gajurel from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), Bakr Bahadur Rai from CPN (Maoist), Nirmal Kumar Syangtan from the Pragatisheel Loktantrik Party, and independents Madhav Prasad Neupane and Narhari Poudel.

Following the denial of a ticket by the Congress, Khadga Bahadur Waiba has filed an independent candidacy. Saroj Bik has filed an independent candidacy from UML. Maheshwar Dahal is the independent candidate from the Communist Party of Nepal. The district-level leadership, dissatisfied with Lekhnath Dahal being given the ticket, made Maheshwar Dahal an independent candidate.

Furthermore, Sindhuli's in-charge Buddhiman Majhi and District Coordinator Paniraj Bamjan have been removed from their responsibilities, deemed to have acted against party interests. The CPN's Bagmati Province Committee stated that action was taken because they openly campaigned for an independent candidate set up against the party's official candidate.

Currently, official, independent, and rebel candidates from political parties and their supporters are seeking votes in their favor, but voters are seeking trust. "We had high hopes in the last election. It was said that employment would be created, skill-based training would come, and roads would be upgraded. Nothing happened. After winning the election, the leaders did not return to the village," shared Sadiksha Darlami from Sun Koshi-6, Bhalayodanda. She emphasized the need to vote for candidates who bring plans for village development and instill confidence, rather than just giving assurances.

In a district like Sindhuli, which has immense agricultural potential, farmers' issues often become part of the election debate. However, there are no good roads to easily transport village produce to the market. Lok Bahadur Ale Magar from Tinkanya, Golanjor Rural Municipality-4, under Sindhuli Electoral Constituency No.-1, said, "We produce agricultural goods, but there is no market assurance. Our area is considered the capital of oranges. Transporting the produced oranges is a hassle due to the unpaved roads. Transportation costs are high."

He believes that general public enthusiasm for elections has been declining because leaders only remember voters when seeking votes but do not listen to their problems. Recalling voting in many elections, he complained that no one has worked by understanding the needs of the voters so far. When Nepali Congress candidate Ujjwal Prasad Baral visited the area during his door-to-door campaign, local residents demanded that the unpaved road in their area be upgraded to paved.

Youth and women's votes are considered decisive in elections. Foreign employment, unemployment, lack of enterprise, and city-centric development have further increased despair among rural youth and women. Youth are demanding hassle-free services in government offices and employment, while women are raising security concerns. "Leaders come to our doorsteps during elections, but when we have problems, they don't answer the phone. We need policies that reduce the increasing violence against women," said Sarita Katuwal from Dudhauli Municipality-3, Nipane.

Katuwal, active in the field of women's rights, stressed the need to empower women economically to reduce violence against them. She stated that women-friendly policies and programs are necessary for this. First-time voters, however, are not lacking in enthusiasm. "We are excited to vote. But we need a clear plan for what to do after studying, skill-based training, access to technology, and an environment to earn a living in our own place," said 20-year-old Samikshya Budhathoki, a resident of Kamala Mai Municipality-5, Madhutar.

Candidates have reached doorsteps with assurances and manifestos, but restoring trust and belief among voters has become the main challenge. Voters appear conscious that this election is not just about development announcements but also about the credibility of their implementation. Past unfulfilled commitments and recurring problems have made voters vigilant.

Social media has also influenced the election atmosphere this time. Voters can easily find out about the previous activities and working style of the candidates. Now, they question every candidate, seek answers, and make decisions thoughtfully. They say, "When voting, we decide based on the candidate's capability. We look at their work rather than their publicity."

Voters want to see behavior over speeches, achievements over assurances, and results over slogans. Candidates are currently focused on door-to-door campaigns centered on the election. Pictures of candidates holding voters' hands and taking blessings can be seen all over social media. However, their expectations are not limited to momentary encounters. Voters are seeking trust in sustainable development, good governance, peace, and long-term prosperity in the country."