“No…Not Again”
"No...Not Again" is a popular campaign launched by a group of spontaneous intellectuals worried about the present political trend through the social network against those notorious candidates who made no remarkable contribution to the nation when they were in power and still contesting the 20 November elections by developing an electoral alliance. Those candidates, who believe politics is their profession and say they are the people’s representatives but exploit the voters, again and again, are included in the list of “No, not again” campaign. The voters this time have questioned why the country and the people have remained poor when the leaders become rich overnight! Those leaders, who have already enjoyed the position of the prime minister and other lucrative ministerial positions again and again, but did nothing remarkable for the nation, are contesting election again. The campaigners have asked the voters not to vote for them this time.
When this campaign became viral, the Election Commission issued a notice urging to stop such a campaign which has violated the candidates’ right to contest elections. The Commission believes that this is a violation of the freedom of individuals. Meanwhile, the campaigners have advocated the freedom of expression which has been guaranteed by the constitution of the country.
Different intellectuals and constitutional experts have advocated on behalf of the campaign criticizing the Election Commission. We don’t know, how successful will be the campaign and affect the 20 November election, nevertheless, the candidates who were involved in rampant corruption, commission deal and exploiting voters have been afraid of such a negative move.
The Supreme Court had asked the government to keep the provision of “No Vote” but the government has violated this Court verdict. The Court had also asked for granting voting rights to Nepali citizens working in foreign countries but the government has not responded to it. Nepal is running from the remittance revenue sent by people working abroad but the government is reluctant in giving them voting rights. These issues have also come to the limelight during the election.
Maybe, the very ugly faces will become victorious but such a campaign is a good start and a warning to the candidates for being responsible towards the country and the people. The campaigners have requested the voters to say goodbye to such candidates with full respect by not voting for them. Some campaigners have stated that the denial of the provision of the “right to reject” is a compulsion made by the EC to vote for the same ugly candidates again and again. Such a system cannot be a true democracy, they have stated.
Nepal is economically a high-potential country having enough natural resources, yet, the country has remained poor and the political leaders have become multibillionaires. The political system we have introduced is a system giving employment to the party cadres. The nation is spending all its internal revenue to feed the political creatures. There is a lack of a strong corruption control body, therefore, we can see a daylight loon on the national coffer. The political leaders in power have created many holes so that they would be able to launch organized loot.
This "No...Not Again" move can be taken as a message for the political leaders that the voters have also become aware and they don’t want to become fools every time. Whether those outdated candidates will become aware and correct their behaviours, we don’t know but this is the beginning and a good initiative taken by society. Perhaps, in the days to come, they also become a watchdog against corruption and commission practices taking place in the country!
Today’s politics is run by a group of cunning leaders, which has to be destroyed. Today’s political system is imposed under the vested interests of foreign powers, which will never allow the formation of a stable government aimed at economic prosperity. Maybe, the campaign will also focus on replacing the present leadership-centred system and contribute to establishing a system suitable for the nation!