The Star Malaysia

Nepal heads to the polls

Country votes amid economic downturn and discontent

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Kathmandu: Nepali voters cast their ballots for a new parliament in a contest dominated by public frustratio­ns over the Himalayan republic’s elderly political elite and anxiety over its teetering economy.

A revolving door of prime ministers – most serving less than a year – and a culture of horse-trading have fuelled perception­s the government is out of touch with Nepal’s pressing problems.

Several younger faces are contesting for the first time yesterday, up against establishe­d parties whose leaders have strode the corridors of power for decades.

Though analysts expect Nepal’s entrenched political veterans to again dominate the next assembly, many voters have lost faith in the status quo and a mood for change is palpable.

“Every party took turns in government over the past five years and they did nothing,” said Chiranjibi Dawadi, a driver by trade.

“My family has decided to vote for a new party this time. It’s okay even if they don’t look after us. Old parties didn’t either.”

Yesterday’s elections are the second since a new constituti­on was promulgate­d in 2015, ushering in a new political order after the conclusion of Nepal’s traumatic Maoist insurgency.

The civil war ended in 2006, having claimed more than 17,000 lives and prompting the abolition of the country’s monarchy, while also bringing the former rebels into the government fold. Since then the former guerrillas have alternated in power with another communist party and the establishe­d Congress in various coalitions.

Incumbent premier Sher Bahadur Deuba, 76, is serving in the role for the fifth time. The two other main party leaders are 70 and 67 and have both held office as prime minister twice.

Public disaffecti­on with the trio has intensifie­d with the economy still in the doldrums from the pandemic, which devastated the vital tourism industry and dried up remittance­s from the huge number of Nepalis working abroad.

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