Like in other provinces, the eight districts of Province no 2 are now heavily immersed in the elections.
And the voters too are found to be enthusiastic to take part in the December 7 election to the House of Representatives and State Assemblies.
With only a few days to go, political parties are also expediting their campaigning programs with door-to-door campaign, mass meetings and rally, corner meets and even reaching out to voters who are busy harvesting paddy in their fields. Senior leaders of various political parties are also very busy with the campaigning.
Speculations and forecasting of a win or loss of the candidates in the fray are rife among the voters who gather around the marketplaces, tea and paan shops to discuss the outcome of the elections.
The left alliance, democratic alliance, Rastriya Janata Party, Federal Socialist Forum-Nepal, among other fringe parties, are also intensifying their publicity campaigns across the district.
Over 545 candidates from different political parties are contesting in 32 constituencies of the Province No-2 in the second phase of elections. However, of them only 30 women candidates are in the race.
Bara's social campaigner Umesh Lal Das shared that these elections should be made successful as it was a chance to stabilize the unstable politics and implement the federal constitution. Similarly, Kalaiya's senior journalist Satya Prakash Shrestha said that voters were willing to cast their votes despite the busy schedules. He added that working class people were also eagerly waiting to franchise rights.
Incident of violating election code of conducts rising
In an effort to woo voters, most of the candidates were found violating election code of conducts. Candidates were found using vehicles violating the election code of conduct.
Majority of the candidates are using vehicles registered in India for their campaigning, said local intellectual of Birgunj Anil Barnabal. "Using loudspeakers and organizing feasts have become common for many candidates," he said.
However, the parties seem to be not focused on educating voters how to vote. "I do not know how to vote, and whether I can choose candidates as I like," Ragharani Patel of Kalaiya-5 said. "I am learning it from my husband and children."
Open border and security challenge
Meanwhile, security challenge seems to have increased as the Election Day draws closer. The attack targeting candidates and party cadres continue abated.
However, AIG of Nepal Police Bijaya Lal Kayastha, who is overseeing the security situation in Province no. 2, said all the three security agencies have been jointly mobilized to ensure security during the election. However, the open border with India remains as the major security challenge. "The local police and administration are taking all necessary measures to face such challenges, and we urge voters to come out to vote confidently," he said.
Chief District Officer of Bara Bijaya Narayan Manandhar said high-security alert has been observed considering the possibility of the use of sponsored criminals and infiltration during the elections.
