Manang: The candidates for the House of Representatives (HoR) Member from Manang have ramped up their election campaigns with just 19 days remaining before the polls. The candidates are vying for voter support by focusing on key issues such as tourism, infrastructure development, and climate change.
According to National News Agency Nepal, three political parties are contesting in Manang district, which is a single electoral constituency. The primary competition is among the Nepali Congress (NC), the Nepali Communist Party (NCP), and the Mongol National Organisation. These parties have each highlighted tourism, infrastructure development, and climate change as their central election agendas.
Nepali Congress candidate Tek Bahadur Gurung emphasized the importance of road infrastructure development in Manang, stating that tourism is a crucial income source for the district. He highlighted the need to connect adventurous, historical, and religious areas with tourism to boost the income levels of local residents. Additionally, he mentioned plans to establish Manang as a hub for hydroelectric projects and to address climate change impacts by raising awareness among locals.
Similarly, Yashoda Subedi Gurung, the candidate from the Nepali Communist Party, stressed the significance of promoting tourism in Manang. She noted that the district’s natural beauty and cultural heritage are recognized globally, making tourism vital for the district’s prosperity. Her focus is on conserving tourism resources and developing alternative trekking routes to address the impacts of road expansion on the Annapurna trail. Promoting major tourist destinations like Tilicho Lake and various mountain passes is also a priority.
The election presents a notable contest between the longstanding parties, the Nepali Congress and the NCP. Supported by the CPN-UML and RPP, the Nepali Congress is positioned as the main competitor against the Nepali Communist Party in this election, marking a departure from previous elections.
The District Election Office, Manang, reports a total of seven thousand registered voters, comprising 3,623 women and 3,377 men, who will cast their votes across 29 polling centers.