BIRATNAGAR, April 26: Though the announcement of local elections in two phases slowed down the poll campaigns for a while, that has not dampened the excitement of locals in the rural municipalities of the Koshi-Mechi region.

As people's representatives for the local units will be elected soon, excitement has reached fever pitch in various districts of Koshi and Mechi zones. Major political parties in Morang have already started wooing the voters. Though some parties have already fixed candidates for the major posts, many are still uncertain. Among the eight rural municipalities of the district, Nepali Congress has chosen its candidates only for Kerabari Rural Municipality.  

As informed by Rohit Karki, district Chief of Nepali Congress Publicity Department, there are four to 12 aspiring candidates for the major posts of rural municipalities. However, CPN-UML has finalized five candidates for five rural municipalities. After selecting the candidates, UML has intensified promotion programs in Morang, informed Wasim Aalam, District Secretariat member of CPN-UML. Similarly, CPN (Maoist Center) has also finalized the names of its candidates in all the rural municipalities.
    
As the election is happening after a gap of two decades, the number of aspirants is very high which has made it challenging for political parties to choose their candidates. Almost all the political parties are conducting mass gatherings and meetings where aspirants are trying their best to woo the voters.

Similarly, political parties in Ilam are also busy selecting candidates for various posts in the municipalities and rural municipalities. The major political parties which had won with majority in the past elections have not yet been able to choose their candidates. There are altogether six rural municipalities in the district but the CPN-UML has chosen candidates only for two rural municipalities while the Nepali Congress has only finalized the name of Dikendra Idinggoko for the post of chairperson of Mangsebung Rural Municipality. But CPN (Maoist Center) has chosen candidates for five rural municipalities.

The situation is no different in Panchthar. Political parties are holding discussions on whom to field in the polls. Though all parties are said to have selected their nominees for the elections, they have not yet publicized their names. The election fever has gripped all the six rural municipalities of Sunsari as well. Prospective candidates have been lobbying to win tickets from their parties.

Day to day programs and door-to-door visits of political leaders and cadres have given a festive mood to the locals. This has added to their excitement.

 
• local elections
 
• rural municipalities
 
• koshi-mechi