Politics for Changemakers and Choosing the Right Candidacy
..A person who constantly blames others, disrespects the past, and lacks personal contribution to society is unlikely to build a better future. A strong leader values positivity, accountability.....
"..., Democracy does not end at voting day; it begins there..."
Every developing country’s public life faces multiple challenges: weak governance, unmanaged administrative structures, complex systems, and deep-rooted corruption. These issues not only frustrate citizens and accelerate brain drain, but also create a constant wave of dissatisfaction among the public. During elections, candidates come forward with grand promises, attractive schemes, and powerful words. They connect with people intensely during campaigns, but after victory, public access becomes limited and many promises are quietly forgotten.
Nepal has experienced repeated political shifts over the years: the end of monarchy, the establishment of democratic practice, the rise of Maoists as a major political force, recent Gen-Z-driven civic movements, and many more changes yet to come. This continuous transition raises an important question among the people: Is the problem the system we repeatedly reform, or the people we choose to represent us?
The honest answer is that it is both. This is why it is critical for citizens to be far more careful while choosing their candidates. Otherwise, the outcome will remain the same. To move toward real change, voters must actively evaluate candidacy rather than emotionally respond to campaigns.
1. Do Not Get Trapped by Influencers and Viral Waves
One of the most dangerous traps in modern elections is blind influence. Social media influencers, viral trends, and emotional narratives can easily manipulate public opinion. While news, social discussions, and digital platforms can inform you, they should never decide for you.
You must ask yourself: Who is truly right for my community? Who understands our local realities? Who can influence our way of living positively? Before casting a vote, it is essential to activate your own judgment. Understand the candidate’s nature, their connection to your region, and how their vision aligns with your society’s real needs.
Every candidate will promise the best possible future. Your responsibility is to assess how feasible those promises are for your community; not how attractive they sound.
2. Know Your Candidate Beyond the Campaign
The second step is building proper knowledge about the candidate. This is practical and achievable. Ask basic but powerful questions:
- What is the candidate’s background?
- What work have they already done?
- How has their work influenced society?
- What qualifications and experiences do they actually have?
- Have they been tested before in any public role?
- If yes, did they fulfill their past commitments?
Tracking a candidate’s history gives you clarity. This alone completes almost half of the decision-making process. Choosing the right person is not about slogans, but about past actions. Creating a simple “character sheet” based on real deeds, consistency, and accountability is far more effective than trusting speeches.
3. Assess Their Understanding of Local Problems
A strong candidate must genuinely understand your problems. Are they aware of the real issues people face daily? Have they experienced these problems themselves or worked closely with affected communities?
For example, a person returning from abroad with strong education and credentials may still require significant time to understand local struggles. In contrast, someone raised within the same community, facing the same challenges daily, may have a deeper emotional and practical connection to the issues. If such a person also possesses integrity, knowledge, and vision, they can bring meaningful change more effectively.
4. Examine Vision Through Practical Plans
Vision is where many voters get trapped. Skilled speakers and seasoned politicians can easily play with emotions. Instead of focusing on words, examine the plans behind them.
Ask:
- Are the plans realistic for the local context?
- Are they economically viable?
- Do they consider sustainability and long-term impact?
- Are timelines, resources, and responsibilities clear?
A good vision is not poetic; it is practical. Concrete plans that consider local capacity, budget limitations, and institutional strength matter far more than emotional narratives.
5. Evaluate Character and Attitude
Finally, character matters deeply. Observe how a candidate responds to challenges. Do they see problems as opportunities, or do they only complain? A person who constantly blames others, disrespects the past, and lacks personal contribution to society is unlikely to build a better future.
A strong leader values positivity, accountability, and learning. Such a person respects diversity and works beyond caste, culture, gender, or party lines. These qualities are essential for social progress.
Final Thought
The power to change lies with the voter. Democracy does not end at voting day; it begins there. Research your candidates thoroughly. Question them. Observe their actions more than their words. The right candidacy can transform society, but only if citizens choose consciously. The choice is in your hands. Use it wisely.
हरेक विकासोन्मुख देशमा शासन प्रणालीका धेरै समस्या देखिन्छन्। कमजोर व्यवस्थापन, जटिल सरकारी संरचना र भ्रष्टाचारले आम नागरिकलाई दिक्क बनाएको हुन्छ। यसले जनतामा असन्तुष्टि बढाउँछ र देशबाट प्रतिभा बाहिरिने क्रम पनि तीव्र बनाउँछ। निर्वाचनको समयमा उम्मेदवारहरू धेरै योजना र आकर्षक भाषण लिएर जनतामाझ आउँछन्। जनतासँग नजिकिन्छन्, तर जितेपछि जनतासम्मको पहुँच सीमित हुन्छ र गरेका वाचा बिस्तारै बिर्सिन्छन्।
नेपालले पनि यस्ता धेरै परिवर्तनहरू भोगिसकेको छ। राजतन्त्रको अन्त्य, लोकतान्त्रिक अभ्यास, माओवादीको उदय, पछिल्लो समय युवाहरू (Gen Z) को सक्रियता लगायत धेरै राजनीतिक परिवर्तन भएका छन्। यसले एउटा ठूलो प्रश्न उठाएको छ—समस्या हाम्रो प्रणालीमै हो कि हामीले छानेका व्यक्तिहरू गलत हुन्?
साँचो कुरा के हो भने, दुवै कारण जिम्मेवार छन्। त्यसैले अब प्रत्येक नागरिकले उम्मेदवार छनोट गर्दा गम्भीर भएर सोच्नुपर्ने समय आएको छ। नत्र नतिजा फेरि पनि उस्तै हुनेछ।
१. प्रभावशाली व्यक्ति र भाइरल प्रभावमा नपर्नुहोस्
आजको समयमा सामाजिक सञ्जाल, भाइरल भिडियो र प्रभावशाली व्यक्तिहरूले जनमत सजिलै प्रभावित गर्न सक्छन्। समाचार र सामाजिक सञ्जाल हेर्नु ठीक हो, तर त्यसकै आधारमा निर्णय गर्नु खतरनाक हुन सक्छ।
तपाईंले आफैँलाई सोध्नुपर्छ—मेरो समाजका लागि को उपयुक्त छ? मेरो समुदायका पीडा कसले बुझ्छ? मेरो जीवनमा सकारात्मक परिवर्तन कसले ल्याउन सक्छ? मत हाल्नु अघि उम्मेदवारको सोच, चरित्र र आफ्नो क्षेत्रसँगको सम्बन्ध बुझ्नु अत्यन्त आवश्यक छ।
सबै उम्मेदवारले राम्रो भविष्यको सपना देखाउँछन्। तर त्यो सपना कति व्यवहारिक छ भन्ने कुरा जनताले नै बुझ्नुपर्छ।
२. उम्मेदवारलाई गहिरो रूपमा चिन्नुहोस्
उम्मेदवारको वास्तविक परिचय जान्नु दोस्रो र सबैभन्दा महत्वपूर्ण चरण हो। केही सरल प्रश्नहरू सोध्नुहोस्:
- उम्मेदवारको पृष्ठभूमि के हो?
- अहिलेसम्म उनले के–के काम गरेका छन्?
- उनका कामले समाजमा कस्तो प्रभाव पारेको छ?
- उनीसँग कस्तो योग्यता र अनुभव छ?
- उनी पहिल्यै कुनै जिम्मेवारीमा परिक्षण भएका छन् कि छैनन्?
- यदि भएका छन् भने, उनले गरेका प्रतिबद्धता पूरा गरे कि गरेनन्?
यदि तपाईंले उम्मेदवारको विगत राम्ररी अध्ययन गर्नुभयो भने, सही निर्णय लिन सजिलो हुन्छ। कामको इतिहास हेरेर निर्णय गर्नु भाषण सुनेर निर्णय गर्नु भन्दा धेरै प्रभावकारी हुन्छ।
३. स्थानीय समस्याको बुझाइ कति छ भन्ने मूल्याङ्कन गर्नुहोस्
असल उम्मेदवारले समुदायका वास्तविक समस्या बुझ्नुपर्छ। उनीहरूलाई जनताले दैनिक भोग्ने समस्या थाहा छ कि छैन? ती समस्या उनीहरूले आफैँ भोगेका छन् कि छैनन्?
विदेशबाट फर्केका, शिक्षित र योग्य व्यक्तिहरूले पनि स्थानीय अवस्था बुझ्न समय लिन सक्छन्। तर यही समाजमा हुर्किएका, यही समस्यासँग संघर्ष गरेका व्यक्तिहरूले छिटो र गहिरो समाधान दिन सक्छन्। यदि उनीसँग ज्ञान, इमानदारी र दृष्टिकोण छ भने, उनी प्रभावकारी नेता बन्न सक्छन्।
४. दृष्टिकोणभन्दा योजना हेर्नुहोस्
धेरै मानिसहरू यतै अल्झिन्छन्। राम्रो बोल्न सक्ने नेताहरूले भावनासँग खेल्न सक्छन्। त्यसैले शब्दभन्दा योजना हेर्नुहोस्।
- योजना व्यवहारिक छ कि छैन?
- स्थानीय अवस्था र स्रोतअनुसार मिल्छ कि मिल्दैन?
- आर्थिक रूपमा सम्भव छ कि छैन?
- दीर्घकालीन र दिगो छ कि छैन?
असल दृष्टिकोण भनेको केवल भाषण होइन, कार्यान्वयन गर्न सकिने स्पष्ट योजना हो।
५. चरित्र र सोचलाई महत्व दिनुहोस्
अन्तिम तर अत्यन्त महत्वपूर्ण कुरा उम्मेदवारको चरित्र हो। समस्या आउँदा उनी समाधान खोज्छन् कि अरूलाई दोष मात्र दिन्छन्? सधैं गुनासो गर्ने, अरूको सम्मान नगर्ने र आफैंले केही नगरेका व्यक्ति राम्रो नेता बन्न सक्दैनन्।
सकारात्मक सोच, जवाफदेहिता र समावेशी दृष्टिकोण भएका व्यक्तिले मात्र समाजलाई अगाडि बढाउन सक्छन्। जात, धर्म, लिङ्ग वा पार्टीभन्दा माथि उठेर काम गर्ने व्यक्ति नै सही विकल्प हो।
निष्कर्ष
परिवर्तनको शक्ति जनताको हातमा छ। लोकतन्त्र मतदानसँगै सकिँदैन, त्यहीँबाट सुरु हुन्छ। उम्मेदवारलाई राम्ररी अध्ययन गर्नुहोस्, प्रश्न सोध्नुहोस् र काम हेरेर निर्णय गर्नुहोस्।