Spread the love

By Deepak Joshi Pokhrel

With just over a month left, the stage is set for the March 5, 2026, parliamentary elections. Unlike elections in the past, the upcoming vote will be crucial in shaping a new future for Nepal. It could either end the political career of a so-called established leader or pave the way for the rise of a new generation of leaders. The election was called following the dissolution of Parliament after street protests by Gen Z against corruption, nepotism, and poor governance.

Multiparty democracy was restored in 1990 as the outcome of several democratic struggles. It laid the foundation for an inclusive and democratic Nepal. More than three decades have passed since then. Sadly, we have repeatedly failed to choose appropriate candidates in elections. As a result, we suffer at the hands of leaders who are incompetent, unaccountable, ruthless, arrogant, and lacking in integrity.

Periodic elections are an integral part of any functioning democracy. They give fresh oxygen to democracy. Likewise, they provide an opportunity for voters to exercise their democratic franchise, either to elect leaders they support or to reject those they dislike. Elections also demonstrate that ultimate power lies with the people, who can shape their own future. This is the beauty of democracy.

What is meant to be a democratic exercise is often misused by politicians in Nepal. During elections, voters at polling stations are offered gift hampers, cash, or other incentives by party cadres in exchange for their votes. Influenced by such inducements, voters tend to lose their rational and critical judgment and often end up electing unsuitable candidates to govern them. Clearly, elections in our country have lost much of their essence, becoming rituals in which voters are bought and sold by politicians.

There is an adage that goes, “When money speaks, truth remains silent.” This time-tested axiom perfectly fits our context. Our elections are becoming more extravagant than ever before. Campaign expenses have increased manifold, institutionalizing crime and corruption. For instance, corrupt business tycoons fund politicians’ campaigns, securing commitments in return to draft policies that allow their illegal businesses to operate without disruption.

Beyond such unethical practices, breaches of the election code of conduct by politicians have also become a major concern. The code, among other provisions, prohibits the use of children in campaigns, the obstruction of public transport during rallies and assemblies, and the spread of false or divisive information on social media. Yet politicians are frequently seen violating these rules.

Take the recent election rallies in different parts of the country. In Jhapa, hundreds of people in multiple vehicles escorted Rashtriya Swatantra Party candidate Balen Shah as he filed his nomination for Jhapa Constituency-5. Shah was openly seen breaching the Election Commission’s code of conduct and its directive to refrain from extravagance. The scene during the nomination of CPN-UML chair KP Oli, Shah’s rival in the constituency, was no different. Hundreds of supporters, accompanied by music ensembles, escorted Oli in multiple vehicles, and even some children were spotted.

Hundreds of miles northwest, the election campaign of another RSP leader, Jagdish Kharel, in Dolakha also drew the attention of the Election Commission, which accused him of organizing a procession exceeding the permissible size during his nomination filing on January 20, 2026.

All this clearly illustrates that politicians of all hues fail to abide by the Election Commission’s code of conduct. They give it short shrift, creating the impression that they do not care about its provisions. What is even worse is that leaders viewed as beacons of hope and representatives of the youth are also defying these rules. What a pity.

In recent years, there has been widespread discourse that democracy is at risk across the globe. This narrative is particularly prominent in South Asia. The reason is simple: citizens often see themselves merely as voters, believing that their responsibility ends with casting a ballot and does not extend beyond that. This is where the problem lies.

People must be reminded that real power lies with the citizens in any functioning democracy. In plain terms, voters should remain critical, rational, and vigilant even after elections. They should hold their representatives accountable whenever their actions undermine democratic values. Yet, once elected, many politicians in our country forget their promises and begin to behave like masters, reducing citizens to mere subjects. Democracy demands accountability, transparency, and honesty from political parties, leaders, and workers. Our democracy is hard-earned, and we cannot allow any Tom, Dick, or Harry to put it at risk for personal gain.

It is an established fact that democracy begins at the ballot box. Former US President Abraham Lincoln once said that the ballot is more powerful than the bullet. For this reason, periodic elections are fundamental to democracy. We cannot imagine democracy without them. Free and fair elections are its soul. But if citizens lose their critical thinking and judgment, they will inevitably elect unsuitable candidates who not only fail to deliver but also risk surrendering democracy to oppressive forces.

We have already been fooled by politicians in the name of politics for decades. We have also lost years to the game of musical chairs played by three key figures—Deuba, Oli, and Prachanda. Our hopes for a better and more prosperous Nepal have repeatedly been shattered by these leaders. The upcoming election, therefore, is an opportunity to teach them a lesson and elect suitable representatives—regardless of party affiliation—who truly represent the people and live up to their expectations.