Time to cleanse local governments

If the parties field incompetent and corrupt candidates, voters should reject them.

Preparations are underway for fresh local elections slated to be held in mid-May. Nepalis will elect 37,020 representatives (including 1,799 nominated members) to different positions in 753 local units. The polls are expected to bring some significant changes to local governments by replacing existing political representatives and re-electing others. However, whoever gets elected should bring positive changes in the collective mindsets of the elected representatives and transform their working policies, systems, procedures and service delivery. The inefficient and corrupt practices that have been observed at the local level in recent years have posed severe challenges to executing federalism as envisaged by the constitution. The upcoming election also has a lot to contribute towards shaping a new public image of local governance, which is currently dim and blurred.