JHAPA, APRIL 9
With the local level elections approaching, many women who were elected as people's representatives in the previous election have become aspirants for higher positions. However, there is one deterrent - money required for campaigns.
Many of them are giving a second thought, as the concerned political parties have started saying that it would cost Rs 2 million to Rs 2.5 million to contest for the post of ward chair.
"I am confident that I will win the election if I get ticket. But I can't sell my house to spend money on elections," said Yamuna Acharya, an elected ward member of Birtamod Municipality.
Furthermore, Acharya said that the parties hesitate to give women the candidature in the election as they do not have financial capability.
Pavitra Koirala Dhungana, a member of ward no 5 of the same municipality says she is confident of winning the hearts of people and being elected again, but the political parties have given importance to money. This is frustrating. "If parties give tickets only to capable candidates without giving importance to money they we will win the election," says Koirala.
Likewise, Bhavana Acharya, a member of Ward No 9 said in case my husband had to contest the election, he could sell his property and spend whatever he could, but we don't have that right and neither can we contest the election by borrowing. She says that women are financially dependent on others for contesting elections.
Women now fear if they are not given tickets on the basis of their capability and contribution to politics, more women will be out of politics. They also said that political corruption was rampant due to costly elections.
In Jhapa, the deputy mayors of Mechinagar, Birtamod, Bhadrapur and Damak municipalities and vice-chair of Buddhashanti Rural Municipality are learnt to be aspirants for the post of mayor/chair in the upcoming elections.
A version of this article appears in the print on April 10, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
