Nepali Congress Cites 'Algorithm' and 'Populism' for Subpar Election Results

Kathmandu. The Nepali Congress, while conducting a preliminary review of the elections held on Falgun 21, has concluded that the party could not achieve the expected results due to the 'algorithm' of technology and the wave of 'populism'.

In its review report presented at the Central Committee meeting held on Friday, the party claimed that modern technology has taken control of the independent judgment of voters. Deputy Chairman Bishwa Prakash Sharma stated that the party's major weakness was failing to take seriously the global wave of populism that has been increasing recently.

The Congress's assessment is that votes were gathered by using public dissatisfaction, impulse, and frustration as 'raw material' in the election, rather than ideology, principles, and agenda. The review mentions that a narrative was created stating, 'Everything old is bad and everything new is good,' which influenced the innocent psychology of the voters. Congress noted that in some places, voters cast their ballots due to the wave of 'giving the new a chance' even when they did not recognize the candidate.

The most interesting aspect of the report is the focus on the influence of the 'algorithm.' Congress stated, 'Previously, territory was captured; now, the algorithm captures people's minds, behavior, and decisions.' The party concluded that a primary reason for the defeat was the inability to free Nepali voters from the 'captivity' of the algorithm and bring them into the open field of independent judgment, despite being in the process of modernizing from traditional campaigning styles. The party emphasized the need to formulate new political and technical strategies in the future to liberate citizens from this digital 'colonialism.'

Furthermore, the report mentioned that although the party's policies on private sector development brought about comprehensive changes in the country, the Congress faced criticism for failing to take credit for these achievements and effectively communicate them to the public.