Student of class 11 at Xavier International College, Rimal is ready to miss his extra classes but not the publicity campaigns. [break]
According to the Election Code of Conduct 2013, political parties or independent candidates are not allowed to use students and young people in campaigns and other election related work.
“I am interested neither in politics nor politicians, but I love to attend such publicity campaigns as we get a chance to have fun with friends. And they provide us petrol and lunch for just following them,” shares Rimal. “Till date, I have attended many poll publicity campaigns. However, I am familiar with not even a single candidate. I differentiate them by their election symbols.”
Resident of Handigaun, Rimal attends poll publicity campaigns just for enjoyment and money. He does not have enough knowledge about politics of the country but manages time to join publicity campaign. He does not even have voter identity card.
“Today, I have to attend the publicity campaign of a candidate whose election symbol is an umbrella,” says Rimal. “My friends will also join me for the campaign. We have to help them to distribute their pamphlets at different places. They have promised to give Rs 10,000 to our group on the last day of campaign.”
Like Rimal, Roshan Shrestha, 17, is another youngster, who likes to attend poll publicity campaign for fun.
“I enjoy a lot during such campaigns. My friends also attend the publicity campaigns. Some are really interested in politics while others join for pleasure,” says Shrestha.
Originally from Palpa, Shrestha used to join publicity campaign at his home town. He usually attends the publicity campaigns of candidate of Nepali Congress as his family supports the political party. A student of Himalayan Whitehouse College, Shrestha is busy with the poll publicity campaign of Nepali Congress leader, Gagan Thapa.
“Apart from fun, I like him personally, so I am supporting him," says Shrestha. “I want him to win from his constituency.”
Like them, Yogesh Khadka, 20, is regularly taking part in poll campaigns. He wants to join the campaign for enjoying with his friends.
“The best part of such campaigns is that we get lunch and fuel for free,” says Khadka. “We had lots of fun in the previous campaigns.”
A large number of college going students have been taking part in poll publicity campaigns. Although it is a violation of the election code of conduct to use students and youngsters in such campaigns, different political parties have been doing exactly the same.
Related story
NC gives full shape to Publicity Sub-Committees formed under Ce...
