Amid delayed reconstruction works, even almost two years after the earthquake, survivors here in Gorkha, the epicentre of the devastating tremor, have started saying “we will votes for those [parties] who ensure roofs over our heads”.

With the date for local level elections drawing closer, political parties and their leaders have started campaigning and quake survivors here have found a new way to create pressure to expedite the reconstruction works. 

Local level elections are slated for May 14. 

Kamal Singh Gurung of Gumda, who lost his house to the quake, is yet to receive the second tranche of housing aid. “Now I have decided to cast my vote to the party that helps me receive the amount easily,” he said. 

Election fever is gradually gripping the district. As locals gather to rebuild houses, they are found talking about elections, the parties they want to vote for or the leaders who could represent them in local bodies. 

And women are not lagging behind-both in building works as well as election discussions.

 “Only a few men are left in villages these days. So we are helping in building houses. During work, elections are focus of our talks these days,” said Ram Maya Gurung of Gumda.

Gumda is the new administrative centre for the Dharche Village Council. 

Arjun Bahadur Pandey of Chyangli, also a quake survivor, said there is enthusiasm among locals about the upcoming polls, and that they are planning to cast their votes to the leaders who could make housing aid process easier and smooth. 

Quake survivors are of the view that people’s representatives should bring a new design to give impetus to reconstruction works. 

The tardy pace of reconstruction is quite frustrating, they said. 

Lal Bahadur Bishowkarma, another quake survivor, said whenever locals talk about elections these day, they talk about reconstruction as well. 

At a discussion programme organised by the local peace committee in Palungtar recently, locals dwelt on reconstruction as well as local elections.