Features
2 MIN READ
The biggest group in Province 2, Dalits will occupy almost zero positions of power in the local government.
Dalits are the biggest group in Province 2, but they will occupy almost zero positions of power in the local government formed after the election on September 18.
As Nepal enters its third and final phase of local elections, data from Election Commission shows that five major parties competing in the polls – Maoist Centre, Communist Party of Nepal-United Marxist Leninist (CPN-UML), Nepali Congress, Federal Socialist Forum Nepal (FSFN), and Rastriya Janata Party Nepal (RJPN) – have chosen mere 17 Dalits out of the total 652 candidates they have for mayors and chairpersons of rural-municipality.
This comes to less than 3 percent of the total nominations for the executive positions. In contrast, just over 16 percent of Province 2 is made up of Dalits.
Results of the first two rounds of the election indicate that political parties are unwilling to find Dalit candidates unless they have been required to. If one considers the winning candidates from the three major parties (who make up over 94 percent of the total winners), less than three percent of mayors, chairpersons, and ward chairs are Dalits. About six percent of ward members coming from open seats are Dalits. Among the seat reserved for women, Dalits constitute only three percent.
The Local Level Election Act 2017 has ensured that around 20 percent of the total elected representatives of local government will be Dalit women, but almost no executive position at the local government will be occupied by Dalits. Just like with the representation of women in local government, the provision for reservation seems to have given the parties an excuse to not seriously consider Dalits leaders for senior positions in local government.
This report is based on data analysis by Bhola Paswan and Shubhanga Pandey.
The Record We are an independent digital publication based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Our stories examine politics, the economy, society, and culture. We look into events both current and past, offering depth, analysis, and perspective. Explore our features, explainers, long reads, multimedia stories, and podcasts. There’s something here for everyone.
News
4 min read
The court has ordered that Sher Bahadur Deuba be appointed prime minister by Tuesday and that the reinstated House meet within a week’s time, by Sunday.
News Analysis
4 min read
Features
9 min read
What to expect with regards to local politics, American aid, immigration to the US, and the battle against climate change
Perspectives
6 min read
Federalism appears to be working in exactly the two places—with distinct regional identities—where it was most likely to work.
Features
5 min read
The dissolution of Parliament marks just the beginning of the political turmoil that might roil the country unless the Supreme Court rights the ship
Features
6 min read
The PM creates chaos, and invites ridicule for dissolving parliament at a time when he should be focusing on the Covid-19 crisis
Features
4 min read
The chronic in-fighting between Oli and Dahal has reached a point where a party split looks imminent
Perspectives
6 min read
Candidates for the local level elections are advertising more and more on social media, especially Facebook, presenting the Election Commission with new problems it must account for.
