Why are the Maoists doing so well in CA elections?

A week ago analysts were hoping that the Maoist would not loose too badly. Now it is evident that the opposite is happening. Some are shocked others saw it coming. We have collected some comments from the people.

Happy voters waiting in line on election day last Thursday

They took my land but I still voted for them

Bharat Ghimire, 34

Seven years ago Maoists seized land from my family in the eastern District of Boshpur. After the peace agreement the maoist leadership publicly announced that they would return such land but they haven’t, so far. They also demand very high ‘taxes’ from us. I voted for the Maoists because I want peace and because I think that is the only way to get back the land of my family.

Bharat Ghimire

All the big people ought to be shocked

Rabin Chalise, 23

I thought the CA was good. People have voted for the Maoists out of frustrations with the old parties. I am not surprised the votes are turning out as they are. All the experts and other older people should be shocked! 

People voted out of fear

Madhav and Kaphil Ghimire, 20

We think the CA election was important for peace, but we don’t like the Maoists winning. People do not like them and still they are winning, that is not good! We think a lot of people voted for the Maoists because they are not educated and because they felt pressured and scared. They are terrorists! In this city people might have voted for them because of the huge unemployement.

Ghimire family

The youngsters voted for change

Sudha Dahal

I went to vote in the early morning and stood in line for three hours, but it was a good day, peaceful and with a good spirit. It was nice to speak with neighbors while waiting. I consider myself a social democrat so I voted for Nepali Congress. However, my son voted for the Maoists, I believe that the young generation voted for change.

The thread was there

Shankar Thapa, 35

My organization BSS were supporting the election as observers here in Doti district. I didn’t see any rigging as such, but the threat was there that Maoists would go back to war if they did not win the election. However, I am surprised that they are doing this well!

Jinita Bishwarkarma, 24

The Maoists are the chance of the new generation

Jinita Bishwarkarma, 24

I voted in my hometown in Sarlahi district in South Western Nepal, it was a good experience and all was peaceful. However, I heard of a place near by where a madhesi guy was shot for pouring water into the ballotbox!

I am not surprised that the maoist are winning, they are the chance of the new generation. New people deserve a chance in Nepalese politics.

Birendra Shrestra

What did the old parties do for us?

Birendra Shrestra, 28

I think it is a good thing that Maoists are winning. People have seen the old parties and they haven’t done anything for us. Now we want to try some one new”.