Voters of remote Shyamrang settlement in Chitwan’s Rapti Municipality-13 say they want to see development in their area and their living standard  improved after the elections.

While the election candidates are yet to reach the settlement, voters here are eager to see if the candidates have anything solid to offer.

 “This time we plan to vote for the candidate who understands our problems and takes step to address them,” said Resham Chepang, a local man. He said that Shyamrang had a host of problems and not a single  leader had made any effort to solve them after getting elected in the past.

A majority of Shyamrang inhabitants belong to the indigenous Chepang community. Poverty is endemic here.  The nearest motorable road is three hours away and there are no health facilities or schools nearby.  The settlement was greatly affected by the 2015 earthquake. Many families have still not been able to rebuild their homes.   

Local Udaya Chepang said for most part of the year the villagers suffered food shortage due to low crop productivity, owing to poor soil quality and lack of irrigation facility.

“Water is scarce and food grains that we produce hardly lasts for six months. Such is the state of our village. Who is going to listen to our troubles?,” he said.   

Maiya Chepang, a local woman, said they were not going to waste their votes on a candidate who only pays lip service and forget about the village once the elections are over.  

“We won’t vote this time if we feel that the candidates are not going to address any of our concerns,” she said.  

Similar is the voters’ mood in remote Tolang settlement of Ichchhakamana Rural Municipality-3. Tolan locals said they were tired of leaders who make tall promises  during election campaigns only to ignore them later.

“This time we are planning to vote for the right candidate and not get influenced by big political parties,” said Bikash Gurung, a local man.