Ruby Rauniyar

“When asking for votes, I urge voters to choose candidates who are honest and committed to real work,” Pun told Republica. “I am listening to the people to understand their actual needs rather than making flashy promises.”

The education system must grant autonomy to higher education

On Friday, crowds of sadhus and devotees flocked to the temple, eager to beat the larger throngs expected on the main festival day.

Nine months pregnant, she has been visiting voters’ doorsteps with remarkable energy and determination, earning praise from many who describe her as courageous. She says the encouragement from voters has strengthened her resolve.

The EC has divided the 165 constituencies for direct elections into five categories based on geography, accessibility, facilities, and service networks. Candidates are allowed to spend only within the limits set for their respective areas.

Women’s presence in national politics is still weak, and within parties, female members often lack influence. As a result, women make up only 11.35% of all candidates—a small rise from 9.3% in the 2079 BS election.

29 percent of households without children; 77.7 percent of children live with both parents

Despite progress, disparities persist in Madhesh Province, where literacy stands at 66 percent, and around 770,000 children aged 5–17 remain out of school.

According to the report, youth unemployment stands at 12.7 percent, while only 38.5 percent of the labor force is actively participating.

Abhishek Ghimire, advisor to Education Minister Mahabir Pun, revealed that roughly Rs 70 million has been spent recently on allowances for meetings held to draft the School Education Act and its regulations—without producing any significant outcomes.