Going local

Candidates seem to be in the dark about the powers and functions of local bodies.

Despite some criticism of the upcoming local election slated for May 13, largely because of alliance politics, there are some good things about it. The country is holding the polls after completing a cycle of five years. And various local governments have at least learned some lessons about their functioning. A total of 35,221 local representatives will be elected for the 753 local units across the country. Parties have already unveiled their manifestos. With nominations filed, parties and candidates have launched their campaigns. Contrary to the last elections in 2017, not many are talking about big ticket projects like metro trains and monorails, barring a few. Some, however, are promising to wipe out corruption, the bane of Nepali society but a big ask in a country like Nepal where nexus, nepotism and cronyism rule the roost.