Enthusiastic Turnout of Female Voters Marks House of Representatives Election in Kathmandu

Kathmandu. The participation of female voters was remarkably enthusiastic at various polling stations in Kathmandu during the House of Representatives elections. Sita Shrestha of Baneshwor is usually busy with household chores and cooking early in the morning, but on Thursday, she reached the polling station fueled by just one cup of tea. "I left saying I would vote first and then eat; this is both a celebration and a right for us," she said. Like Sita, many women prioritized voting over household duties.

For Anita Manandhar, who traveled from Pokhara to Kathmandu to vote at Ratna Rajya Laxmi Secondary School in Mid-Baneshwor, this election is special. She arrived to cast her vote in her maternal area with the determination to change the political landscape following the 'Gen Z' demonstration. At the same center, 93-year-old Kaushila Timalsina started the process by voting at 7:05 AM. Observer Hariom Mehta informed that ropes placed for security were even cut to ease the path for senior citizens and persons with disabilities.

Dhanu Rai, who voted for the first time at Padma Kanya Secondary School in Dillibazar, shared an even more interesting experience. Her husband, who is working abroad, urged her to vote mandatorily even though he could not cast his own vote. After voting, Dhanu shared her joy of fulfilling her civic duty by taking a picture of the blue ink on her finger and sending it to her husband via WhatsApp.

Pratiksha Shrestha, a teacher from Gorkha whom we met at Swapnawatika School in Shankhamul, also came to Kathmandu, stating that she should not lose the right to elect the right leadership. Many conscious women like her exercised their right to vote at the polling centers with the belief that "Our one vote builds the nation." It was observed that the family members of many women provided encouragement as they exercised their right to vote at most centers in Kathmandu.