Kathmandu, 17 Feb: With 16 days remaining until the voting for the House of Representatives member election, political parties and independent candidates have intensified their campaigning activities. The country will officially become immersed in the election atmosphere following the Election Commission’s permission to organize mass gatherings from Monday until Falgun 18, considering the election.
Until Sunday, political parties and independent candidates were conveying their messages to voters through door-to-door programs and limited-area election campaigns. From Monday, they have advanced their election campaigns by organizing public rallies. A total of 68 political parties, including the major parties from the dissolved House of Representatives—Nepali Congress, CPN (UML), Nepali Communist Party, Rastriya Swatantra Party, Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal, Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Janamat Party, and Nepal Majdoor Kisan Party—are contesting the election.
New, old parties and independent candidates are in the fray. According to the Election Commission, there are 3,484 candidates across 165 constituencies. A total of 1,187 individuals have filed their candidacies as independents. Most candidates who have filed their nominations are focused on their respective constituencies. Parties entering the election with the aim and determination to navigate the country’s situation that changed after the Gen Z movement on Bhadra 23 and 24 are trying to create a favorable atmosphere in their favor. Candidates are busy understanding voters’ issues and asking for votes.
Parties Presenting Their Manifestos
While some parties contesting the House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21 have made their manifestos public, others are preparing to do so.
According to Nepali Congress spokesperson Devaraj Chalise, the party will publish its pledge document (manifesto) by organizing a mass rally in Janakpurdham on Wednesday, Falgun 6. He stated that the manifesto will outline the work Congress plans to do in five years, including improving the economy and foreign policy. He said, “Congress is campaigning cleanly and decently in all 165 constituencies. We will further clarify our issues to the people by holding large rallies.”
CPN (UML) Deputy General Secretary Lekhraj Bhatta said the party is campaigning in all constituencies. He mentioned that although the schedule for public rallies has not been finalized, preparations are underway. Nepali Communist Party spokesperson Agni Prasad Sapkota said the election campaign is moving forward. He informed that leaders and workers have been mobilized in all 164 constituencies across the country, and public rallies are being organized alongside door-to-door programs.
Rastriya Swatantra Party Vice-Chairperson Dol Prasad Aryal stated that nationwide and constituency-specific election programs are being organized. Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal leader Manish Suman said the party’s election-focused campaign is operational, with various central and local leaders mobilized for it.
Top Leaders Focus on Constituencies
Top leaders of major political parties are focusing on their respective constituencies. Congress President Gagan Kumar Thapa has completed a two-phase program in Sarlahi Constituency No. 4. UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli is also concentrating his campaign in Jhapa Constituency No. 5. Similarly, Nepali Communist Party Coordinator Pushpa Kamal Dahal ‘Prachanda’ is focusing on Eastern Rukum, and Co-coordinator Madhav Kumar Nepal is focusing on Rautahat for election campaigning.
While Rastriya Swatantra Party Chairman Rabi Lamichhane is busy seeking votes in Chitwan, senior leader Balendra Shah is involved in election campaigning in Jhapa Constituency No. 5. Janata Samajwadi Party Nepal Chairman Upendra Yadav is also busy with election campaigning in Madhesh districts. Top leaders and candidates of other parties are engaged in election campaigns in their respective constituencies.
