Parties intensify HoR election campaign nationwide

By A Staff Reporter,Kathmandu, Feb. 19: Political parties and candidates contesting the House of Representatives (HoR) election scheduled for March 5 have stepped up their campaign activities across the country.

The Election Commission has allowed parties and candidates to carry out electioneering from midnight on Monday until midnight on March 2, setting a 15-day official campaign period for the upcoming poll.

During this period, political parties have been organising mass meetings, rallies and door-to-door outreach programmes to present their agendas and seeking voters' support. 

In addition to traditional methods, candidates are increasingly using social media platforms to promote their policies and connect with the electorate.

In Kathmandu, candidates have intensified door-to-door visits in various constituencies, seeking direct engagement with voters and appealing for support, whereas young candidates are now using digital platforms for electioneering.

With polling day approaching, campaign activities are expected to gain further momentum in the days ahead.

Candidates busy meeting voters in Dhankuta 

Candidates contesting the upcoming poll have intensified their campaign activities in Dhankuta. 

According to our Dhankuta correspondent, Kabiraj Ghimire, candidates are using various methods of outreach, ranging from door-to-door visits to social media engagement. 

A total of 17 candidates are in the race, including Rajendra Kumar Rai from the CPN-UML, Dinesh Rai from the Nepali Congress (NC), Dharmaraj Paudel from the Nepali Communist Party (NCP) Dinesh Bhandari from the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), San Bahadur Rai from the Shram Sanskriti Party, Bibhatsu Thapa from the Rastriya Prajatantra Party (RPP), and independent candidate Lakpa Tamang, among others.

Key issues in the candidates’ election agendas include the legalisation of cannabis cultivation, construction of the Dharan–Mulghat tunnel road, expansion of development infrastructure, and control of corruption.

NC candidate Rai has been prioritising both door-to-door campaigning and the use of social media. 

He interacts with voters and social media users through Facebook Live sessions at 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily. According to him, Facebook Live has made it easier to engage with a larger audience.

UML candidate Rai has been actively involved in door-to-door campaigning. He stated that, after forming teams, he has already reached all wards of the district’s three local levels. The campaign, which began on January 31 will continue until March 2.

NCP candidate Dharmaraj Paudel and RSP candidate Bhandari are also conducting door-to-door campaigns. 

Due to geographical difficulties, they are unable to visit every household, so they organise gatherings at major junctions and market areas to present their agendas and seek votes. 

Bhandari also stated that he has been sharing his views and policies through social media platforms.

Independent candidate Tamang has made corruption eradication his main election issue and is meeting voters across the district. 

He has also been expressing his views through social media while travelling to various locations to seek support.