Election activities up as November 20 voting nears

Election activities have intensified across the country as the November 20 voting to the House of Representatives and the Province Assembly nears. Election-related activities and campaigns have shot up, and candidates are reaching out to voters with their respective party’s election manifesto.

Election campaigns have been done in a thrifty and careful way, claimed Shaligram Sharma, spokesperson for the Election Commission.

This time, the election code of conduct has been strictly implemented as compared to the past elections, he maintained. “As requested by political parties, the code of conduct has mentioned the provision that bars election expenditure extravagantly. As a result of the strict implementation of the election code of conduct, the putting up and distribution of election-related festoons, pamphlets and banners, election rallies and assemblies have significantly gone down. But, the election has remained in the heart and mind of voters, and election ambience has not gone down.”

Lately, elections are becoming decent with the political parties, candidates, voters and democracy growing matured, observed CPN (UML) leader Subas Nembang.

“There have been drastic changes in elections campaigns in a bid to make them economical with consultations between political parties and the EC. For polls, there have been maturity, excitement and awakening in people,” he said.

The elections are being organised for a total of 275 HoR members, and for a total of 550 PA members. There are a total of 17 million, 988 thousand and five hundred seventy eligible voters.

Scenes in the previous elections would be different. The display of political banners and the pasting of pamphlets in market areas and urban settlements would be massive. Supporters of political parties and candidates were seen wearing clothes printed with election symbols of specific political parties and election candidates.

This time, the EC could ensure a significant change in the publicity campaign. Just 15 days were officially given for the election mass meetings and the home visit programmes. Election publicity programmes were not extravagant as in the past.

Former Speaker Subash Nembang said people/voters are questioning the candidates reaching out to them whether they could deliver development projects such as roads, and drinking water facilities for them. The voters still are still seeking commitments from the potential legislators for the development.

Nepali Congress leader Pushpa Bhusal said the given time for election publicity was too little this time as per the geography of electoral constituencies and parties focused on home visit programmes instead of mass gatherings. “This time election glitz was not at the sight, but people are enthusiastic about voting.”

Democratic Socialist Party Nepal’s leader Anil Kumar Jha said he sensed that people are eagerly waiting for voting on coming November 20.

The model of election publicity has been changed this time with the belief that election costs should be within the limit to promote fair politics. “Though probable legislators are majorly responsible for formulating policies and laws, people still expect them for ensuring the development projects and other practical needs for them.” (RSS)