Efficacy of local bodies

 The Himalayan Times

19 May 2022

Efficacy of local bodies

The much awaited local level election is over now. Counting of the ballot papers throughout the country is going on with much vigour. Voters are enthusiastically waiting for the final results to see whether their voted candidates got elected. This is the second local level elections held after 5 years in accordance with the 2015 constitution. The first local level elections were conducted for the first time in 2017 in three phases on May 14, June 28, and September 18. From the local level elections held on May 13, 2022, a total of 35,221 local level officials will be elected. 

Election is the lifeline of democracy. Local elections help raise political awareness among the people, who in turn, excitedly participate in the election, wishing to receive public services at their doorsteps from the local bodies they elect. The main responsibility among others of these bodies is to effectively provide government services, implement development activities and manage day-to-day administrative functions. The local level government is required to be an all-time accessible and approachable body for the local population. That is why the local elected bodies are seen as the government at the local level responsible for effectively providing basic services to the people.

The local bodies are considered to be permanent governments and undergo no mid-way changes like provincial and federal governments. There will be no effect of provincial and federal level political changes, making the local bodies the most reliable government for the local population. The only concern is how effectively and sincerely will the elected representatives perform their responsibilities. I am not so sure if the provincial or federal governments have formulated a development model for the local bodies for them to follow with the aim of creating a competitive environment for them to develop their wards and municipalities.MYSTICAL NEPAL

Rai Biren Bangdel

Maharajgunj