BAJHANG, March 31: The election fever has not just gripped towns and cities, but also the rural villages in the country. With the local polls now just 44 days away, political leaders in Bajhang district of the far west region are busy visiting rural households, appealing to the locals to vote them.

Leaders of political parties, including Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, CPN (Maoist Center), are busy campaigning to woo the voters. The political cadres, too, are busy lobbying to win candidacies for various posts of municipalities and rural municipalities. “Political leaders and cadres have intensified their door-to-door campaigns on a daily basis in the rural villages. They have been making various promises to woo the voters,” said Purna Thapa, a local of Masta Rural Municipality-5.

According to him, locals are very excited about the upcoming polls. “I’m getting a chance to cast vote in the election for the first time in my life. Everyone is excited,” he added.
Another local, Jagat Bista, said that the villages in the district were quiet before the election date was announced. “But the atmosphere changed drastically after the polls date was confirmed,” he said, “Now leaders are promising roads, electricity, employment and many other things. But as usual, they won’t turn back to the villages once they win the election.” Harka Jung Bahadur Singh, district president of Nepali Congress, said the party started village programs immediately after the election date was announced. “Our door-to-door campaign is now going on in eight rural municipalities and two municipalities of the district,” he informed Republica.

“People are very happy. There is no alternative to holding the election now,” added Singh. UML is the first party to hold door-to-door campaigns. The party’s district chairman, Dil Bahadur Singh said they will fight for the people’s welfare as they are the people’s party.  “If the election does not take place, we will launch protests,” he said.

Likewise, Maoist Center district chairman Kalak Khadka said they will continue their door-to-door campaigns until the last minute. He said they launched the campaign immediately after the government announced the polls date.  Chief District Officer Keshav Bahadur Thapa said the district administration is committed to holding the polls in a secure environment. “We are ready to follow the government’s instructions and provide security to conduct the polls,” he said.

 
• election fever
 
• grips
 
• rural villages