Successful Election

With the successful conclusion of the May 13 local elections throughout the nation, all eyes are now trained on poll results. Voters, psephologists, media, poll watchers, political parties, leaders, party workers and common people at large are awaiting the result in all 753 local bodies with a bated breath. The importance of the just concluded poll lies in the fact that it has not only encouraged voters to utilise their constitutionally guaranteed right for electing local representatives but has also assisted in strengthening democracy at the grassroots. Because of voters' enthusiastic participation in voting as a celebration, the government spokesperson and Minister for Information and Communication Technology Gyanendra Bahadur Karki thanked them.

Leaders of all hues and stripes, some of them flying to their hometowns, cast their votes along with party workers, supporters and common people. Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba flew to his hometown in Dadeldhura to cast a vote while CPN- Maoist Centre chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda visited Chitwan and many other senior leaders went to their towns and villages for voting, which further highlighted the significance of local polls. Another important aspect of this poll was parties fought it forming special alliances. The five ruling alliances contested it collectively, sharing seats in metropolises, sub-metros, municipalities and rural municipalities. The opposition too made alliances to contest the ruling alliance.

The keen contest between the parties remains a hallmark of this election, which has been aptly reflected in the preliminary results. However, the lower turnout of voters in polling stations compared to the last local election in 2017 remained a cause of concern for the Election Commission, political parties and candidates. The lower turnout may lead to unexpected results for several candidates. The poll five years ago saw 74.16 per cent of voters casting their votes, while this time around the percentage of voters hovered around 64 per cent. Though there is a rise in the number of voters (the EC put the increased number of voters at about 3,000,000) this time, the lesser number of voters' appearances made the Chief Election Commissioner worried. 

The lower turnout maybe because the EC held elections throughout the nation simultaneously, while five years ago it organised the poll in three phases for which it had successfully arranged the required level of security. Despite the mobilisation of large security personnel, sporadic incidents of violence and disruption of polling and vote counting occurred this time to the dismay of many. However, the successful conclusion of the polling is the major achievement of the government. 

The election was held largely in a peaceful, free and fair manner. At a time when the opposition party and its chair were crying foul over the government's intention, the successful ending of the poll gave them a fitting reply. Now, every political party and candidate must await the results without causing any raucousness and show faith in the ballot. They should accept the people's mandate and move ahead accordingly. An election is a festival for those who uphold democratic values and principles, and Friday's election has proved this fact. The sovereign citizens enthusiastically participated in it, making it successful much to the delight of political parties, candidates, the EC and the government.