CHITWAN, Feb 9: In Chitwan constituency number 1, which includes three municipalities, women make up more than half of the voters, but the number of female candidates remains very low.
The constituency, comprising Ratnanagar, Khairahani, and Rapti municipalities of eastern Chitwan, has a total of 149,621 voters. Of them, 50.70 percent (75,860) are women, while 73,761 voters (49.30 percent) are men. Despite women forming a majority of the electorate, only two women are among the 18 candidates contesting the House of Representatives election, and both represent smaller political parties.
Number of female voters up for provincial and parliamentary ele...
The Rastriya Janamorcha has fielded Sita Devi Chhetri, while National Republic Nepal has nominated Ishwari Gurung as a candidate. Major political parties that have previously won elections from this constituency have not nominated any female candidates this time.
According to the Election Officer’s Office, candidates from 15 political parties are contesting in the constituency, along with three independent candidates.
In terms of voter demographics, 50 percent of voters belong to the Khas Arya community, 33.33 percent are indigenous nationalities, while Tharu, Dalit, and Madhesi communities together account for 5.56 percent, according to data from the Election Commission.
The constituency has 56 polling locations with 168 polling stations. Parts of Rapti Municipality fall in hilly areas, while the rest of the constituency lies in the plains.
