Voters Returning Home for Elections Complain of Lack of Public Transport in Kathmandu Valley

Voters attempting to return to their home districts from the Kathmandu Valley to cast their ballots have complained about the unavailability of public transportation. They expressed frustration that despite waiting for vehicles since early morning, they could not secure tickets, and reserved vehicles were refusing to carry ordinary passengers.

Kulbahadur Thapa from Okhaldhunga stated that because he works at a school, he received leave late, and lacking a private vehicle, he had to rely on public transport. He mentioned that he had been waiting for a bus to Okhaldhunga since Wednesday morning but couldn't find one. According to him, most vehicles were marked as 'Reserved,' and these vehicles were unwilling to take general passengers. Thapa complained that when he went to the bus counter, he was told to contact political parties and their leaders, and that tickets were unavailable, leading to a situation where he might not be able to vote.

The ordinary citizen Thapa said: 'I work in a school. That school did not grant leave until yesterday. I do not have a personal vehicle. I was trying to go home to vote in Okhaldhunga by public transport, as vehicles were available until the 20th, but I couldn't find a vehicle. I have been waiting for a vehicle since 4 in the morning, but still haven't found one. Vehicles are marked as nothing other than 'Reserved.' The reserved vehicles did not take us. When I went to the bus counter, they told me to contact the parties and their leaders, saying tickets were unavailable. Now it seems I won't be able to go and vote.'

Dilip Mahat from Kaski also stated that problems are arising because political parties are prioritizing their supporters by reserving vehicles for them. According to him, those going to vote in this manner are also facing significant difficulties. He explained that as parties reserve almost all vehicles, they are only sending transport for people whose names are on the voter list and belong to their party. He noted that many voters risk being disenfranchised because ordinary citizens cannot find transport.

Mahat said: 'These days, those leaving the valley are going to vote with great difficulty. Parties are taking only those people whose names are on the voter list by reserving vehicles for their party members. Parties are sending vehicles only for their own party members. Many ordinary people are not getting transport to go and vote, which creates a situation where some may not be able to go and cast their ballot.'

Kumar Basnet from Ramechhap said that although he did not get a seat, he managed to get a vehicle. He mentioned that political party leaders told him he should travel in reserved vehicles, but he refused. He said he got a vehicle even without a ticket and is now heading home to vote.

Basnet said: 'I had not bought a ticket to go home to vote. Parties told us we should travel in their vehicles, but I did not go. However, I got a vehicle even without a ticket. I am going home to vote.'

According to stakeholders, the complaints raised regarding public transport management and the involvement of political parties right before the election require the attention of the relevant bodies. Transport management needs to be transparent to ensure that ordinary voters can reach their polling stations easily. – News Agency Nepal