Banda Revisited on Bicycle

Last week it was the DAYLONG CURFEW - governement-sponsored "chakka band" ("Stop the Wheel!"), yesterday it was the 7 dwarves turn. Judging from the NTV people took it in stride, many joked that it's good with "excercise" and nice without pollution and noise. There were also large number of bicycles - so maybe one positive legacy these "bandas" leave behind is the versatility and utility of bicycles! Now if only Nagar Palika (the Municipality) start making some cycle-paths along the most frequented roads...
Elections are on, yesterday was the last day of registration, and it must be said, many candidates got cold feet after brutal murder of a mayoral candidate in Janakpur last week. Many places there were only 2 or 3 who cast their "topis" in the frey!

3,255 candidates file nominations for municipal polls

Of the total 4,146 posts, only 3,255 candidates filed nominations across the country on Thursday for the February 8 municipal polls.

The EC is holding election for 4,146 representatives in one metropolis, four sub-metropolis and 53 municipalities in 43 districts of the country.

According to the Election Commission, 236 nominations were filed for the posts of mayor and 192 for deputy mayor.

Only 98 nominations were filed for 177 seats in Kathmandu metropolis, including 10 nominations for Kathmandu metropolis mayor and eight for deputy mayor.

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Knowing the energy and seriousnes the nepalis, even during the "nominal" elections in panchayati times, took to the polls, it shows the intimidation works! The maobadis by killing one hapless politicians in Janakpur were able to derail and descredit the elections. Now the doubters and ill-wishers can rightly point that "there is hardly any interest in these Palace elections"
Thanks very much, 7 dwarves! Nepal sinks deeper into quagmire.