Changes in poll publicity: Doorstep visits and digital platforms use on focus

Galeswor (Myagdi), Feb 21: Political parties and candidates in Myagdi have altered the old-fashioned election publicity style for the upcoming House of Representatives (HoR) election. 

Unlike previous elections with large posters and banners on walls and big election rallies, this time candidates have adopted a practice of reaching out to voters with door-to-door visits and small programmes. 

Priority has been given to the use of 'digital campaign materials' through social media. 

Along with the candidates, leaders and activists now are laying more emphasis on door-to-door visits and direct meetings. 

Leaders have been entrusted with the responsibility to campaign in their respective municipalities. 

Those given responsibility are promoting their party and candidates through direct meetings with voters and social media. 

A style of creating and posting daily video content on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, including live broadcasting with a cameraman, has gained popularity. 

Besides, independent candidate Mahabir Pun has reached out around neighbourhoods, using a handheld microphone to convey his message in a style that engages the public, saying 'Look people! Here comes Mahabir'. 

Nirmal Khatri, a member of the Nepali Congress (NC) Magdi election campaign committee, said this time there has been an effort to connect with voters through social media via video messages, live broadcasts, and digital content. 

He added that the secretariat of NC candidate Karn Bahadur Bhandari has prioritized direct meetings and digital campaigning. 

Similarly, CPN (UML) candidate Harikrishna Shrestha has been reaching voters’ homes in the same manner. 

According to UML leader Prakash Paudel, the party has been promoting the development work done in the past and the candidate’s commitments to voters through videos, songs, TikTok, and podcasts. 

In the same way, the secretariat of independent candidate Mahavir Pun is also active in digital campaigning through postcards, reels, and video content. 

Pun’s associate Chitra Tilija stated that for election campaigning, voters are being reached through direct meetings and digital technology. 

Myagdi has one constituency, six municipalities and 45 wards. There are 86,397 voters. 

A total of 82 polling stations and 120 polling centres have been established in the district for election purpose. (RSS)