Most of our readers would rather vote for an individual who is committed to the development of the nation and work for the people, and who has a vision, than for a party. They suggest all to make sure to know the candidates properly before deciding on one

A group is made of members. Similarly a party is made up of politicians. Each politician has different views and perceptions. Some may be right and some may be wrong. When a politician turns out to be a bad example after doing wrong for his own benefit, it is not the party that is in the wrong but the politician who is the one who is to blame. It is not justified to hold a party wrong when certain members are in the wrong path as there are many people in a party who are working for the welfare of the public and nation. Due to some bad

apples, the rest of the party and good politicians should not be blamed. Rather the positive work of the party should be admired and celebrated.

— Tulip Gyawali, Minbhawan, Kathmandu

Unquestionably voting is our right. In every autonomous country, an eligible candidate has suffrage. Suffrage is commonly allied with the right to take part in a ballot in political elections and also passes on to the act of voting in such an election. Here comes the big query — how do people cast their votes? It varies. In the developed countries, to some extent, people have the power of self-analysis to choose the right candidate without being influenced by other people, but in a lesser developed country like Nepal, most people cast their vote being influenced by other people. They cast their votes without knowing the candidates, their political philosophy or ideologies, sometimes either with the temptation of money and other physical things. In my perspective, we must cast our vote for the right candidate knowing all things like how s/he is, what s/he has done for the welfare of people earlier, what his/her qualification is, is s/he a visionary, is s/he influenced by nepotism, what is his/her commitment, what s/he will do if elected, et cetera. In the same respect, I vote for the right person without giving importance to political ideologies. I will look at a candidate’s quality and skills.

— TN Bhandari

If you vote for the wrong person, you will suffer. Keeping this in mind, I will cast my vote for a person who has the ability to reform our society — I will see his/her history whether s/he has contributed and sacrificed for society, does s/he have leadership qualities, and does s/he possess the power to make the right decision irrespective of things. I will not vote for people who are operating political parties through gangsters and goons rather than being involved in politics with a conscience and working for the people and country. I will not judge on the basis of someone else’s logic while deciding who to vote for, and will make other people also aware that we should vote for the best person who can be beneficial for the development of our area to ensure a prosperous life for all.

— Bibas Thapa, Hetaunda

The last time we the citizens of Nepal voted in local elections was 20 years ago — that was in 1997. In this year’s first phase of elections, which was held on May 14, I got to exercise my right and cast my vote in the local elections for the first time in my life.

I believe voting is people’s democratic right wherein we are free to choose a candidate and party in whom we can place our faith and trust to develop the country, locally and nationally. I have witnessed people casting their vote enthusiastically and in full discipline during the first phase of elections which was held in provinces 3, 5, and 7. The results are also satisfying which indicate voters’ maturity and civic sense in terms of choosing the right person who they believe is capable enough to address their unaddressed issues.

I believe it is necessary to vote for candidates who are committed and are ready to serve the people by addressing their concerns and agenda. Also, people at this point of time are much aware, educated and they know who and what is beneficial for them, and who are not. Therefore, rather than looking at parties and their ideologies, I personally voted for a candidate who I felt is capable to raise my voice and issue out there. I am sure that rest of the people also did the same.

— Tejaswi Pahari, Jawalakhel

The elected candidates are people on whom the future of citizens and country depend. Voting for a politician and his/her party and ideologies does nothing but degrades politics and hinders development of the country. It has been a tradition in Nepal to vote for a party that has been voted into power by the earlier generation, or simply by looking at their manifesto. What I think is that every Nepali citizen should be aware and be able to look beyond the ideologies and vote according to capabilities of a leader who can lead a nation towards prosperity, motivate the citizens, and work for their welfare by enhancing their abilities. It is time for change. And this change is for us. So let’s start from ourselves.

— Asmita Bhandari

Election is an important measure of development. The representatives of people, who are the sovereign of the government, can be elected through votes. Once the government is formed, the development in different levels of the country starts naturally. For example, civic polls has been completed and it aims to elect representatives of people in the local level and then develop the respective areas/districts, et cetera. These representatives have a big role to play in the development of the country. And so the representatives should have vision and mission of development starting from their party to community to country. The next election is going to be held after 20 years, approximately. So as an active voter, I have exercised my right to vote to choose a suitable and active representative of my area/ province. We should use our right to vote and select the right and eligible representative, who can diagnose our problems and help us to solve these problems and execute overall development minutely.

— Dr Ganga Raj Aryal, Arghakhanchi

I would vote for an individual with some social standing, and at least, a graduate degree or diploma. Also s/he should not have a bad reputation — s/he should not be linked to corruption, molestation, child abuse or any criminal case against him/her irrespective of any party and/or political ideology s/he is related with. Politics is the most important force that builds and guides the nation. Unfortunately for developing and under-developed nations, politics has become an industry of looters and hooligans who are gaining political power irrespective of their dark past. The Election Commission should post on the website or publish in their booklets the bio of every candidate without hiding facts, like if they have been convicted before, or if there are any pending legal or criminal cases(s) against that individual. Irrespective of party and/or political ideologies, every voter has the right to know about the candidates to make an informed decision.

— Saikat Kumar Basu

I would prefer a candidate who has his/her own ideology and has the ability to bring together all people on one platform and solve the problems. I don’t go for people with party ideologies because people with his/her own mindset can do many things than people who follow ideologies made by one party.

— Preyjisica, Kavre

Voting is our right. This right must be exercised from our heart. I truly listen to my heart when I exercise this power and right. And while doing so, I go for the person with ability rather than party or ideology. It is because it is not the party or ideology that is going to make him/her capable of leadership — s/he must have that ability and capability from the very beginning. If s/he is capable of leading people, there is no doubt that s/he will help develop him/her area and the country as a whole in the right direction.

— Satish Lama

Before voting, everyone in Nepal must know about the abilities of elected candidates. One should thoroughly know the candidates to be elected and whether s/he is able to do something useful and special for his/her country in the best possible way. An individual has to be supported not because of his/her party or party’s ideology. One fact that can never be denied by anyone in this world is a person’s personality. His/Her personality reflects his/her capability in the best possible manner no matter the situation. It is the same with politics in our country as well as in countries around the world. Hence, my point is that we should select and vote only for those candidates who are capable of contributing to their country. Only then will Nepal be ascertained of moving in the right direction without any obstacles.

— Pratik Shrestha, Buddhanagar, Baneshwore

The right to vote is the right of every citizen of a country. As voting right is my political right, I don’t vote on the basis of political party or its ideology. I vote for a candidate’s ability, qualification and dedication towards community. There is nothing wrong with a declaration letter. But I would vote for an individual and his/her abilities and personal ideologies not for her/his party’s ideology. Because personal ideology is better than political ideology. There are various examples of how one man changed the whole nation and how one decision changed the whole world. So it is time to choose the best person and not one’s own.

— Sonam Lama

It’s really good to have election in a democratic country. Voting is our right through which we can choose our own leader. I am not choosing parties for my vote — I am choosing the person who is really working hard for our society/country whether s/he belongs to my party or opposite party.

— Sonu Kr Shah, Balkumari, Lalitpur

I would vote for a political party as there is a great role for political parties in a democratic system. It becomes easier for them to formulate new plans and policies in negotiation — the common problem of society can be managed and developmental activities can be launched by the group effort of political parties for fruitful reasons. It becomes easier for me to put my ideas, views and feeling about my concerned society as to maintain peace and harmony.

— Kamal Aryal, Pokhara

We are the citizens of our country and we have the right to vote. And it’s very essential for us to use our voting right wisely. Using this right, we should vote for an eligible candidate which is one of our important duties. Being a citizen of the country, I would use my voting right to cast vote for a candidate who would think and serve for the country, but not for a candidate who lures us with different promises. It is common for parties to pretend to serve the people and advertise themselves as good candidates for before the elections. We should be aware of such moves and should cast our vote for an eligible candidate. Because a single vote can affect the chance of victory of a good candidate.

— Sanam Shrestha, Bhaktapur

I would vote for abilities of an individual rather than parties. Abilities are talents and I want someone who is talented to make decisions for me. I want a leader who is honest and helps people with everything. People with ability can help those who are poor and who cannot see. If they are good people, they will help those who need help rather than helping people who are rich. They don’t do wrong things. They donate to charity and help poor children whose parents can’t afford to send them to school. It doesn’t matter which party one belongs to, one must be good and skilled.

— Rebecca Rai

Everyone has the right to vote and to choose the best candidate. This is a great opportunity to choose a favourite leader or person who is capable to develop our village, city, or even country. If we choose the right person at this right time, then our village or municipality will develop rapidly.

— Krishna Hari Sapkota, Nawalparasi, Devchuli-05

Being a Nepali we know that a powerful man can do anything he wants and he won’t do what people want. Also the powerful gets whatever he wishes but the person who is powerful and alone might not be free to do whatever he wishes to do. I think the person who is committed to work for people — I want to vote for him. The mayor or the chief has much power to execute his plans and bring change if he dares, or is committed to work for the ones who elected him. So, trusting the candidate I would give my vote to the right person, although he has to face challenges financially or from the opposing local parties.

— Saugat

I would vote for a person based on his/her abilities and honesty. In case of Nepal, most of the leaders of different political parties are not following the ideology of their party, in the true sense. They are always looking for opportunities to be in power — they do not mind leaving behind their political ideology if it means they will get some powerful position. And such leaders are in positions of dominance in most political parties. In this lot of corrupt politicians, who are leading their parties, there are a few exceptional politicians who want to make a difference in people’s lives. Each political party of Nepal has one or two such honest leaders who work for the benefit of people. So, I would prefer to vote for such people, though they may not follow the political ideology I believe in. I believe that one person can make a difference, if s/he is truly capable in his/her field. Otherwise, even if there are thousands of people, but are not capable, they will not be able to do anything significant.

— Jasmi

QUESTION OF THE WEEK

For many of us the favourite part of a newspaper or magazine is the horoscopes. Many of us even plan our days according to the stars or what has been suggested in that portion of the read. Yet there are those too who do not believe in what the stars have in store for us, believing that we are the one’s who make our own destinies/futures. Do you follow the daily horoscopes blindly? Or do you follow what’s written in the stars with a pinch of salt? Or do you think it is all hogwash? Why?

­Send your replies in not more than 200 words by Friday, July 7 by 2 pm to Features Department, The Himalayan Times, e-mail: features@thehimalayantimes.com