Nepalese Constituent Assembly polls, April 10, 2008

Honestly speaking, I have never been a current affairs person and matters of the state, politics in particular, has run parallel to my existence, never ever crossing paths.

I turned 26 the same day the constituent assembly polls were due. I had half a mind to sleep the day off since D-day was a public holiday with nonexistent traffic, closed shops and a load shedding in place (for four full hours during the day). But, the thought of the deadline at work the following day kept taunting me and never gave me a peace of mind.

I still remember yearning to cast my vote a few days earlier, when I found myself ineligible to vote, simply because the election commission website didn’t have my name on the voter’s list. However, on D-day itself when I realised that I was an eligible voter after all, the voting urge had waned (I found my registration number issued by the election commission).

I consider myself the least informed person regarding any party’s mandates and the likes. I almost bailed on my first ever opportunity to cast a vote, which incidentally is my constitutional right as I recalled Civics lessons from back in high school. So, towards the closing of the voting hours, I dragged myself to the polling station and cast my vote. The better part of the story, the woman who had my vote, has developed quite a lead in the polls. I am still clueless if my vote was of crucial importance, or if ever she will be a representative in the constitution assembly.

I guess we will have to wait and see.

I only hope that the constituent assembly will provide us Nepalese with a much needed reprieve from the regular bands, price hikes and insecurity in place.