JHAPA, April 9: With the local level elections approaching, many women, who were elected as people's representatives in the previous election, have expressed their desire to contest for the higher positions. However, the costly election is proving them to be one of the main deterrents to run for the office.
Many of them are giving a second thought as the concerned political parties have started saying that it would cost Rs 2 million to Rs 2.5 million even to contest for the post of the ward chair. "I am confident that I will win the election if I get a ticket. But I can't sell my house to spend money for the election,” said Yamuna Acharya, an elected member of Birtamod Municipality-6.
Acharya complained that the parties hesitate to give women the candidature in the election as they do not have financial capability. Pavitra Koirala Dhungana, a member of ward no 5 in the same municipality said that she is confident of winning the hearts of the people and being elected again, but the political parties have given importance to money leading to frustration.
"If parties give tickets only to capable candidates without giving importance to money they will win the election," said Koirala. Likewise, Bhavana Acharya, a member of ward no. 9 said in case my husband has to contest the election, he can sell his property and spend whatever he can, but we don't have that right and neither can we contest the election by borrowing.
She said that women are financially dependent on others to contest the election. Women now fear if they are not given tickets on the basis of their capability and contribution to politics rather than on the basis of money, they will be left out of politics. They also said that political corruption was rampant due to costly elections.
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In Jhapa district, the deputy mayors of Mechinagar, Birtamod, Bhadrapur and Damak municipalities and Buddha Shanti rural municipality are learnt to have been aspiring to run for the post of Mayor in the upcoming election.
