Saipal Youths Urge PM to Declare Six-Day Holiday for HoR Election

Youths from Saipal Rural Municipality in Bajhang have submitted a memorandum to Prime Minister Sushila Karki, requesting six days of public holidays surrounding the upcoming House of Representatives election on Falgun 21. The initiative aims to boost voter participation by allowing people working away from home sufficient time to return and vote.

The memorandum calls for holidays from Falgun 18 to 23. Falgun 18 and 19 coincide with Holi celebrations in the hills and Tarai regions, while Falgun 20 is the day before the election. Falgun 21 is already an election-day public holiday, and the youths have requested Falgun 22 to help citizens return home, with Falgun 23 falling on a Saturday.

“The House of Representatives election is not merely an administrative task but a historic national festival that shapes the country’s destiny and strengthens the spirit of democracy,” the memorandum states. “It is the day when citizens’ voices are expressed through the ballot. Therefore, it is the state’s highest responsibility to make the election accessible and widely participatory.”

Saipal youth Sajan Bohara emphasized that declaring Falgun 20 and 22 as official holidays would create a continuous holiday period, enabling greater voter turnout. He noted that the government should consider the country’s geography, transportation challenges, employment patterns, and diverse professions when making such a decision.

Bohara added that while immediate arrangements for Nepalis living abroad may be difficult, ensuring voting accessibility for those within the country is crucial. He stressed that such measures would significantly increase nationwide voter participation and strengthen democratic engagement.