Kathmandu — CPN-UML Chair and former Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli has said that the House of Representatives election scheduled for march 5 is not practical for Himalayan regions and risks becoming a symbolic exercise rather than a meaningful democratic process.
Government’s Commitment to Credible Elections
Speaking at an election-focused gathering of party workers organized by the Okhaldhunga–Kathmandu Contact Forum, Oli accused the current government of lacking seriousness in conducting credible elections. He alleged that the government has failed to deliver tangible results for the country and has instead accumulated governance failures.
Practical Challenges in Himalayan and Hilly Regions
Oli said the march 5 election date does not align with the geographical, climatic, and social realities of high Himalayan and hilly areas. He noted that harsh weather conditions, limited transportation, and seasonal migration patterns make it difficult to conduct elections effectively in those regions during that period.
He added that despite the announcement of the date, uncertainty persists over whether the election can be carried out in a credible and participatory manner. According to Oli, population presence in Himalayan areas is significantly low at this time of year, reducing the likelihood of meaningful voter turnout.
“If only four people cast votes in a place where four thousand voters are registered and the ballot box is returned, what significance does that election hold?” he said, describing such a scenario as a “drama” rather than a genuine election.
He also accused the government of operating with an urban-centric mindset and underestimating the political importance of Himalayan and hilly regions. Oli claimed that politically active areas are being neglected, while elections are being scheduled at times and in places where voters are largely absent and participation is unlikely.
