For the past few days, many people have been asking us the same question again and again. Some reached out on Messenger, some through email, and many through comments. The question is simple but serious — this time, which party should we vote for?
We believe voters deserve a clear and honest answer. In this election, every citizen gets two votes, and both votes play different but equally important roles in shaping the future of the country.
Direct Vote: Candidate Comes Before Party
The first vote is the direct vote. While voting directly, the most important thing is the candidate standing in your constituency. Party name alone should never decide your vote.
A good candidate is someone who can place the country and the people above party interest and leader worship. We do not need representatives who go to Parliament and blindly follow party whips. We need lawmakers who have the courage to speak up when something goes against public interest, even if it means standing against their own party.
If a party looks good but the candidate in your area has failed repeatedly or lacks credibility, changing your vote is not betrayal. In direct elections, the candidate must matter more than the party.
Proportional Vote: One Vote That Shapes the Government
The second vote you cast on Falgun 21 is the proportional vote. Many people take this lightly, but this vote has huge power in parliamentary politics. In proportional voting, the rule changes completely. Here, you should not focus on individual candidates.
You must focus on the party and the proportional list that the party submitted to the Election Commission before the election. This single vote plays a major role in deciding which party forms the government after the election.
Understanding the Numbers in Parliament
Nepal’s House of Representatives has a total of 275 seats. Out of these, 165 members are elected directly from constituencies across the country. The remaining 110 seats are distributed among parties based on proportional votes.
To form a government, at least 138 seats are required. Both direct and proportional seats are counted together. This clearly shows why the proportional vote is extremely important.
Vote for Vision, Not Perfection
While casting your proportional vote, choose the party you genuinely believe can move the country forward. No party is perfect. Some leaders may be weak or controversial. But if the party as a whole has a clear vision and the ability to govern responsibly, it deserves your vote.
Voters should also check the proportional list carefully. This list decides who will become Members of Parliament later. All these lists are publicly available on the Election Commission’s website and should be reviewed before voting.
Ask Questions, Reject Empty Promises
On Falgun 21, vote with your hand on your chest and think about the country. Do not repeat the mistake of voting again for tested and failed candidates who won elections many times but never fulfilled their promises.
Ask candidates serious questions. Try to understand how well they know your constituency. Ask what policies they plan to support and whether they have the knowledge to make laws that benefit citizens, youth, and future generations.
Policy Makers, Not Road Builders
If a candidate promises to build roads and bridges directly, be careful. This is an election for the House of Representatives. A Member of Parliament’s real job is to make laws and national policies, not to manage local development projects.
Vote for leaders who talk about long-term national policies that ensure development reaches every village, not for those who make short-term local promises.
Say No to Negative Politics
Finally, if a candidate tries to look good only by abusing others and spreading negativity, blacklist them immediately. A neighbor who gossips destroys the community. A leader who gossips destroys the nation.
This election is not just about winning seats. It is about choosing the direction of the country. Vote wisely.
