Nepal Contemporary Political Situation V:

Nationwide Opinion Survey

Sudhindra Sharma and Pawan Kumar Sen

Interdisciplinary Analysts

Nepal Contemporary Political Situation (NCPS)

NCPS is a longitudinal opinion poll undertaken
by Interdisciplinary Analysts (IDA) since
December 2004.
The longitudinal opinion poll has, among others,
helped map the shifts in public opinion.
The aim is to bring the people's opinions into the
public domain and thereby inform the political
parties, government and other stakeholders on
what the average Nepali man and woman
thinks.
The Asia Foundation (TAF) has been a longterm partner of IDA in this effort.
2

IDA's Involvement in Nationwide Opinion Surveys

1. 1999 General Election Opinion Poll: How Voters Assess
Politics, Parties and Politicians (Fieldwork: February 1999;
Published: April 1999)
2. Nepal Contemporary Political Situation I: Opinion Poll Report
(Fieldwork: December 2004; Published: March 2005)
3. Nepal Contemporary Political Situation II: Opinion Poll Report
(Fieldwork: January 2006; Published: April 2006)
4. Nepal Contemporary Political Situation III: Opinion Poll Report
(Fieldwork: September 2006; Published: December 2006)
5. Nepal Contemporary Political Situation IV: Opinion Poll Report
(Fieldwork: January 2007; Published: April 2007)
6. People's Perception of Safety in Nepal (Fieldwork: May 2007)
7. Drivers of Legitimacy (Fieldwork: July 2007)
8. Nepal Contemporary Political Situation V: Opinion Poll Report
(Fieldwork: January 2008)
3

Questions

How do the people assess the overall direction of the country?

What do they think are some of the biggest problems facing the
country?
What is the level of trust of the public towards the government?
What is their level of trust towards the various organizations and
institutions?
How do they assess the present government and what do they see
as its strengths and its weaknesses?
Do they see the political environment as being free of fear and
intimidation?
Who do the people blame for the repeated postponement of
constituent assembly elections?
What is their take on issues associated with state re-structuring,
such as monarchy, relationship between the state and religion,
identity, election system and unitary versus federal structure?
What are their thoughts on agitation-movements Madhesi
movement and Janajati movement?
7

Objectives

To document the public's level of trust towards the present

government.
To identify what the public perceives as the major challenges facing
Nepal.
To identify what the public perceives as the major challenges at the
local level.
To document the public's perception towards the various
movements such as the madhesi people, janajati people, etc.
including the state's response towards these.
To document the public's perception towards issues related to state
restructuring.
To suggest to the government, various political parties, donors and
other stakeholders what their priorities should be during the
transition period that Nepal is currently going through.

Field duration

Pre-test: 16 December 2007

Orientation training: 18-19, December 2007
Commencement of fieldwork: 23 December 2007
Completion of fieldwork: 12 January 2008

Pictures from the fieldwork

Achham

Sarlahi

10

wflb

gjnk/f;L
11

Larger politcal context at the time of fieldwork

December 23, 2007 (i) Top leaders of the seven-party alliance and Maoists reached a 23point agreement to end political deadlock and hold the constituent assembly elections by
mid-April 2008.

December 27, 2007 United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN) said that the joint
monitoring team disqualified 12,648 Maoist combatants from being the members of the
Maoists Peoples Liberation Army members during the process of verification.

December 28, 2007 (i) The interim parliament approved a bill for the third amendment to
the interim constitution. After this amendment Nepal turned into a federal democratic
republic, to be implemented by the first meeting of the constituent assembly. The
amendment also cleared the way of holding CA elections in mid-April. (ii) Leader Mahantha
Thakur announced the launch of a new political party called Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party
(TMDP) for safeguarding identity, rights and dignity of the Madhesi people. Thakur resigned
as a senior cabinet minister and a NC lawmaker to launch the regional party.

January 4, 2008 (i) A meeting of the seven-party alliance decided to hold joint mass
meetings in different cities across the country to create a conducive environment for the
constituent assembly elections. (ii) Tarai-Madhes Democratic Party (TMDP) handed over an
11-point memorandum to Prime Minister Koirala and gave him an ultimatum to fulfill it by
January 18.

January 10, 2008 Prime Minister Koirala expanded cabinet by nominating three new
ministers and five state ministers.

On January 11 (i) Government decided to hold the constituent assembly elections on April
10, 2008. (ii) The Cabinet also decided to send the disqualified Maoists PLA combatants to
home by mid-February.
12

Survey Methodology
Closed-questionnaire
Sample size = 3,010 respondents
Randomly selected 30 districts
Selected sample represents 5 development regions and 3 geographic regions
Probability proportionate to size
Margin of error: + / - 1.8 (at the national level)

13

FW Mount
MW Mount
FW Hill

West Mount
MW Hill

FW Tarai

West Hill
MW Tarai

West Tarai

Central Mount

East Mount

Central Hill

East Hill

Central Tarai

East Tarai

14

15

16

Demographic characteristics

Sex

Population

Sample

(%)

(%)

Age Group

Population

Sample

(%)

(%)

Female

50.1

49.8

20-29

33.9

28.5

Male

49.9

50.2

30-39

24.7

26.8

Total

100.0

100.0

40-49

17.4

19.7

50-59

11.9

13.9

60-69

7.5

8.0

70+

4.6

3.3

100.0

100.0

Residence

Population

Sample

(%)

(%)

Rural

86.1

85.1

Urban

13.9

14.9

Total

100.0

100.0

Total

17

Demographic characteristics
Development Region

Population

Sample

(%)

(%)

Eastern

23.1

21.4

Central

34.7

40.6

Western

19.7

15.8

Mid-Western

13.0

12.7

Far-Western

9.5

9.5

100.0

100.0

Total
Ecological Region
Mountain

Population

Sample

(%)

(%)
7.3

5.5

Hill

44.3

47.7

Tarai

48.4

46.7

Total

100.0

100.0
18

Demographic characteristics

Religion

Population

Sample

(%)

(%)

Hindu

80.7

86.8

Buddhist

10.7

6.4

Islam

4.2

2.7

Kirat

3.6

3.0

Christianity

0.5

1.1

Atheist

0.0

0.1

Others

0.3

0.0

100.0

100.0

Total

19

Demographic characteristics

Educational Status

Sample
(%)

Illiterate

38.1

Literate (without formal edu.)

14.4

Primary

13.6

Lower sec.

9.4

Secondary

6.1

SLC completed

10.9

Inter.

5.5

Bachelor's and above

2.0

Total

100.0

20

Demographic characteristics
Caste/Ethnicity

Population
(%)

Sample
(%)

Weight

Chhetri

15.80

16.45

0.9608

Bahun

12.74

15.12

0.8428

Magar

7.14

8.41

0.8495

Newar

5.48

7.24

0.7566

Yadav

3.94

5.68

0.6935

Tamang

5.64

4.75

1.1872

Tharu

6.75

4.15

1.6254

Kami/Biswokarma

3.94

3.09

1.2752

Gurung

2.39

2.82

0.8463

Muslim

4.27

2.62

1.6269

Rai

2.79

2.49

1.1197

Thakuri

1.47

2.43

0.6061

Limbu

1.58

1.76

0.8973

Damai/Pariyar

1.72

1.76

0.9768

21

Demographic characteristics
Caste/Ethnicity

Population
(%)

Sample
(%)

Weight

Teli

1.34

1.66

0.8067

Dhanuk

0.83

1.23

0.6752

Musahar

0.76

0.96

0.7888

Tarai Brahman

0.59

0.93

0.6343

Sudhi

0.40

0.93

0.4300

Mallah

0.51

0.90

0.5686

Kurmi

0.94

0.83

1.1318

Hajam

0.43

0.80

0.5393

Lohar

0.36

0.76

0.4711

Bhujel

0.52

0.70

0.7453

Koiri

1.11

0.70

1.5910

Kalwar

0.51

0.70

0.7310

Sarki/Mijar

1.40

0.63

2.2179

Majhi

0.32

0.56

0.5666

Chamar/Harijan

1.19

0.56

2.1070

22

Demographic characteristics
Caste/Ethnicity

Population
(%)

Sample
(%)

Weight

Nuniya

0.29

0.56

0.5135

Kanu

0.42

0.53

0.7901

Baniya

0.55

0.53

1.0347

Danuwar

0.23

0.50

0.4615

Dusadh

0.70

0.50

1.4047

Sonar

0.64

0.47

1.3760

Tatma

0.34

0.40

0.8528

Barahi

0.16

0.37

0.4378

Kewat

0.60

0.37

1.6418

Khatwe

0.33

0.37

0.9030

Rajbansi

0.42

0.27

1.5803

Kumal

0.44

0.23

1.8920

Chepang

0.23

0.23

0.9890

Sanyasi

0.88

0.23

3.7840

Thakali

0.06

0.20

0.3010

23

Demographic characteristics
Caste/Ethnicity

Population
(%)

Sample
(%)

Weight

Kumhar

0.24

0.20

1.2040

Kayastha

0.20

0.17

1.2040

Sherpa

0.76

0.13

5.7190

Sunuwar

0.42

0.13

3.1605

Badi

0.02

0.13

0.1505

Tajpuriya

0.06

0.13

0.4515

Satar

0.19

0.10

1.9063

Haluwai

0.22

0.10

2.2073

Kahar

0.15

0.10

1.5050

Darai

0.07

0.07

1.0535

Bantar

0.16

0.07

2.4080

Dhobi

0.32

0.07

4.8160

Dhimal

0.09

0.03

2.7090

Marwadi

0.19

0.03

5.7190

Meche

0.02

0.03

0.6020

24

Demographic characteristics
Caste/Ethnicity

Population
(%)

Sample
(%)

Weight

Rajput

0.21

0.03

6.3210

Rajbhar

0.11

0.03

3.3110

Bhediya

0.08

0.03

2.4080

Mali

0.05

0.03

1.5050

Sikh

0.01

0.03

0.3010

Others

3.28

0.96

3.4044

100.00

100.00

Total

25

Broad group of caste/ethnicity of the respondents

35

31

30
22
17

20
15
7

10

9
5

0
Hill Caste

Hill
Ethnic

Hill Dalit

Newar

Madhesi Madhesi Madhesi

Caste
Ethnic
Dalit

Muslim

Caste/ethnicity of the respondents by origin

70

65

60
50
Percent

Percent

25

35

40
30
20
10
0
Non-Madhesi

Madhesi

26

Country's overall direction and challenges

27

Generally speaking, do you think the country is moving in

the right direction, or do you think that it is moving in the
wrong direction? (Q11, Base = 3010)
17%
25%
0%

Right direction
Wrong direction

17%

Some in right, some in wrong

direction
Refused
41%

Don't know/cannot say

Generally speaking, do you think the country is moving in the

right direction, or do you think that it is moving in the wrong
direction? (Q11, Base = 3010)

80

63

Percent

60
40

31

28

20

21

20

15

12

10

0
Non-Madhesi

Madhesi

Right direction
Wrong direction
Some in right, some in wrong direction
Don't know/cannot say

28

If you think the country is moving in the right direction, then why?
(Q12, base = 764)
50
Percent

40

44
37

30
20

18

17

15

10
0
Improvement The 10-year Maoists have The country is
in law and armed conflict entered into
normal
order
has come to open politics
an end

Don't know/
cannot say

29

If you think the country is moving in the wrong direction, then why? (Q13,
base = 1202)
50
Percent

40

40
33

30

20

20

15

15

13

10
0
There is no There is lack
of unity
improvement
among the
in law and
main political
order
parties

Percent

60
40
20

Price hike

Development CA election The country's

situation has
has not
activities
have come to taken place not become
normal
a halt

If you think the country is moving in the wrong direction, then

why? (Q13, base = 1202)
53
40
28
25 22
19
18 14
12 17

0
Non-Madhesi

Madhesi

There is lack of unity among the main political parties

There is no improvement in law and order
Price hike
Constituent Assembly election has not taken place
Development activities have come to a halt

30

In your view, what are the two major problems facing Nepal as a whole? (Q14,
base = 3010)
30

25

Percent

25

22

20

17

17

15

15
10

10
5
0
Poverty

Don't know/
cannot say

Price hike

Unemployment

Lack of
development

Bandh/strick/
chakka-jam

What are the two major problems at the local level? (Q15, base = 3010)
50

41

Percent

40
25

30

24
16

20

13

11

Lack of
irrigation

Unemployment

10
0
Lack of roads

Lack of
domestic
water

Lack of
electricity

Poverty

31

Assessing the government and

various institutions

32

I am going to ask you about some of the organizations and associations of our country. What is the level of trust
towards these organizations and associations trust very much, trust somewhat, not much trust or no trust at all?
(Q16, base = 3010)
Q16

Legislative Parliament
Cabinet
Civil service
Nepal Police
Nepali Army
Judiciary
NGOs
Human rights activists
Media persons
Religious organizations
Ethnic organizations
Civil Society

Trust very much

Trust somewhat

Not much trust

No trust at all

Refuse

Dont know

3.4

22.0

15.5

22.2

0.1

36.8

3.2

21.5

16.4

28

0.1

30.8

8.0

28.5

19.1

15.5

0.0

28.9

11.8

36.9

19.7

19.2

0.0

12.4

14.5

38.1

17.2

16.6

0.0

13.6

13.1

34.3

16.0

13.2

0.1

23.4

10.1

32.9

17.5

9.7

0.1

29.7

13.5

34.0

12.7

8.2

0.1

31.5

20.1

37.4

12.5

6.1

0.0

23.8

20.8

33.2

13.2

9.4

0.0

23.4

17.8

34.0

13.2

11.4

0.0

23.5

16.4

32.6

12.0

6.0

0.1

32.8

33

Generally speaking, how do you assess the performance

of the present government - very good, good, bad, very
bad? (Q17, Base = 3010)
3%
24%
Very good
Good
Bad
Very bad
Don't know/cannot say

38%
6%

29%

Generally speaking, how do you assess the performance of

the present government - very good, good, bad, very bad?
(Q17, Base = 3010)

50

42

39

Perc ent

40
30

27

25

24

22

20
10

0
Non-Madhesi
Very good

Good

Bad

Madhesi
Very bad

Don't know/cannot say

34

What are the strengths of the present government? (Q18, base =

3010)
50

39

Percent

40

31

30
14

20

10

10

0
Don't know/
cannot say

There is no
positive
feature

Prospects for
lasting peace
has
increased

It is
negotiating
with
agitationsmovements

The
government
has made
daily life
normal

Percent

What are the weaknesses of the present government? (Q19, base

= 3010)
40
34
25

30

21

20

12

10

The
government
has not
fulfilled basic
needs

It has not
fulfilled the
demands of
agitations movements

10
0
Don't know/
cannot say

It has not
controlled
price hike

It has not
held
Constituent
Assembly
election

35

Political intimidation

36

Do people express their political views without

intimidation in the area where you live?
(Q20, base = 3010)
27%

50%
Yes, they do
No, they do not
23%

Don't know/cannot say

Percent

Why do you think people express their political views without

feeling intimidated? (Q21, base = 1505)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

48
28

26
14

The conflict
has declined

11

The state Maoists have Don't know/ The people

has
entered into cannot say cannot take
guaranteed open politics
it any more
freedom of
speech

37

Why do you think people are hesitant to express their political views?
(Q22, base = 679)

Percent

40

33

29

30

22
15

20

15

12

10
0

Percent

Don't know/ The conflict Activities of

The state
cannot say
has not
armed
has not
ended
groups has been able to
permanently increased
guarantee
freedom of
speech

50
40
30
20
10
0

Violent
behaviour
persists
among
Maoists

Political
parties have
been
inactive at
the local
level

Why do you think people are hesitant to express their political

views? (Q22, base = 679)
44 41
42
20

18
7

22

11

Non-Madhesi

20
8

Madhesi

The conflict has not ended permanently

Activities of armed groups has increased
Violent behaviour persists among Maoists
Don't know/cannot say
The state has not been able to guarantee freedom of speech

38

Constituent assembly

39

Public's understanding of the constituent assembly

80

Percent

70
60
50
40
30
20
10

55

59

60

67

24

26

49
29

23

14
14

23
18

18

21

0
2004 Dec

2006 Jan

Heard about it

2006 Sep
Claim knowledge

2007 May

2008 Jan

Correctly understand

40

Do you think that elections for constituent assembly can

be held within the next six months? (Q31, Base = 2016)
22%
36%
Yes
No
Don't know/cannot say

42%

Do you think that elections for cons tituent assembly will be held within
the next six months?

50
Percent

40
30
20

41
36

40
31
28

22

10
0
2007 May
Yes

2008 Jan
No

Don't know/cannot say

41

Perceptions regarding 'New Nepal'

42

Have you ever heard about 'New Nepal'?

(Q32a, Base = 3010)
5%

Yes

36%

No
59%

Don't know/cannot say

If you have heard about 'New Nepal', do you agree or

disagree with the phrase? (Q32b, Base = 1778)
11%
6%
37%

6%

Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
40%
Don't know/cannot say

43

Percent

If you strongly agree or somewhat agree with the phrase 'New Nepal',
what do you expect from 'New Nepal'? (Q32c, base = 1365)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

48
29

There will be
development

25

22

18

There will be
The
There will be
The law and
equal
unemployment
equal
order situation
opportunities problem will be development in
will be good
all regions
solved
for all

44

Rating of Variuous Rights

Q40

Mean

Public's rating towards the right to equality

8.64

Public's rating towards the right to freedom of opinion and expression

8.42

Public's rating towards the right to freedom to assemble peacefully and without arms

8.34

Public's rating towards the right to freedom to practise any profession

8.23

Public's rating towards the right to property

8.14

Public's rating towards the cultural and linguistic rights

8.00

Public's rating towards the right to religion

7.98

Public's rating towards the right to information

7.93

Public's rating towards the right to select political party

7.81

Public's rating towards the right to freedom to form unions and associations

7.59

45

State restructuring

46

Should there be or should there not be a place for

monarchy in the Nepal of the future?
(Q41, Base = 3010)
12%

There should be
50%

There should not be

Don't know/cannot say

38%

Percent

Public's stand on monarchy

90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0

81

74
53
39

43

19

14
5
2004 Dec

45

6
2006 Jan

Support for monarchy

2006 Sep

10
2007 Jan

No support for monarchy

46
43
2
2007 May

49
38

12
2008 Jan

Don't know/cannot say

47

Should the Nepal of the future be a secular state or a

Hindu state? (Q43, Base = 3010)
10%
31%

It should be a secular
state
It should be a Hindu state
Don't know/cannot say

59%

Should the Nepal of the future be a secular state or a Hindu state?

70
60

59
59

59

Percent

50
40
30

33

31

31

20
10

9
9

10

0
2006 Sep

2007May

It should be a Hindu state

2008 Jan
It should be a secular state

Don't know/cannot say

48

What should be the language policy of the Nepal of the future?

(Q44, Base = 3010)

7%
Nepali language should be the only
official language

42%
Other national languagess should
be adopted as official languages at
local level

51%

Don't know/cannot say

What should be the language policy of the Nepal of the future?

(Q44, Base = 3010)
100

82

Percent

80
60
40

56
33

20

12
3

0
Non-Madhesi

Madhesi

Nepali language should be the only official language

Other national languagess should be adopted as official languages at local
level
Don't know/cannot say

49

What should be the language policy of Nepal of the future?

60

55

Percent

50
40

48

38

43

50
41

30
20
10

0
2006 Sep

2007 May

2008 Jan

Nepali language should be the only official language

Other languages should be also adopted as official language
Don't know/cannot say

50

How do you like to identify yourself? (Q45, Base = 3010)

2% 4%
I like to be identified as Nepali
only

53%

41%

I like to be equally identified as

Nepali & with particular
ethnicity/region
I like to be identified with
particular ethnicity/region only
Don't know/cannot say

80

How do you like to identify yourself? (Q45, Base = 3010)

76
70

Percent

60
40
21

19

20
5

0
Non-Madhesi

Madhesi

I like to be identified as Nepali only

I like to be equally identified as Nepali & with particular
Don't know/cannot say

51

How do you like to identify yourself?

60

Percent

50
40

54

52

39

41

30
20
10

0
2007 May

2008 Jan

I like to be identified as Nepali only

I like to be equally identified as Nepali and with particular ethnicity/region
I like to be identified with particular ethnicity/region only

52

Have you ever heard about various electoral systems like

First-Past-the-Post System and Proportional System?
(Q46, Base = 3010)
15%
30%

Have heard
Have not heard
55%

Don't know/cannot say

Have you ever heard about various electoral systems like FirstPast-the-Post System and Proportional System?
40

P ercent

30

30

20
10

13

0
2006 Sep

2008 Jan
Have heard

53

Have you ever heard about the unitary system and

the federal system? (Q48, Base = 3010)
11%
23%

Have heard
Have not heard
Don't know/cannot say
66%

Have you ever heard about the federal system?

30

Percent

23
20

10

16

10

0
2006 Sep

2007 May

2008 Jan

Have heard

54

Women's issues

55

Do you think that women have to face specific kinds

of problems in our country? (Q50, Base = 3010)
6%
7%

Yes
No
Don't know/cannot say

87%

50

If you think that women have to face specific kinds of problems,

what are the two biggest problems? (Q51, base = 2618)
46
37

Percent

40
30

24

23

20

11

10
0
Lack of
access to
education

Lack of
freedom

Domestic
violence

Unemployment

Lack of
control over
one's body

56

f you think that women have to face specific kinds of problems, what are the two
biggest problems? (Q51, base = 2618)
60

Percent

50

49
43

40
30

37

37
26

20

23

22

23

11

10

10
0
Female

Male

Lack of access to education

Lack of freedom

Unemployment

Lack of control over one's body

Domestic violence

57

Agitation-movements

58

The Madhesi movement has been going on for the

past few months. Have you ever heard of this?
(Q52, Base = 3010)
3%
28%

69%
Yes

No

Don't know/cannot say

The Madhesi movement has been going on for the past

few months. Have you ever heard of this?
(Q52, Base = 3010)
100

84

Percent

80
61
60
40

35
14

20

0
Non-Madhesi
Yes

No

Madhesi
Don't know/cannot say

59

If you have heard of the Madhesi movement, do you

know the demands put forth by the movement?
(Q53, Base = 2075)
9%
33%
Yes
No
Don't know/cannot say
58%

If you have heard of the Madhesi movement, do you know the

demands put forth by the movement?
(Q53, Base = 2075)

Percent

70
60
50
40
30
20

61
54
40
27
11

10
0
Non-Madhesi
Yes

No

Madhesi
Don't know/cannot say

60

If yes, do you agree or disagree with the demands of

the Madhesi movement? (Q54, Base = 677)

25%
40%

Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree

11%

Strongly disagree

24%
If yes, do you agree or disagree with the demands of the Madhesi
movement? (Q54, Base = 677)
80

73

70

Percent

60

49

50
40
27

30

10

21

18

20
4

0
Non-Madhesi
Strongly agree

Somewhat agree

Strongly disagree

Don't know/cannot say

Madhesi
Somewhat disagree

61

In your opinion, how can the Madhesi movement be

resolved? (Q55, Base = 2075)
9%

11%
By the government fulfilling their
demands unconditionally
By the govt negotiating with
leaders of Madhesi
movemement
Don't know/cannot say

80%

In your opinion, how can the Madhesi movement be resolved?

(Q55, Base = 2075)
100
82

76

Percent

80
60
40
20

16

0
Non-Madhesi

Madhesi

By the government fulfilling their demands unconditionally

By the govt negotiating with leaders of Madhesi movemement
Don't know/cannot say

62

The Janjati movement has been going on for the past few
months. Have you ever heard of this? (Q56, Base = 3010)
5%

Yes
42%

53%

No
Don't know/cannot say

If you have heard of the Janjati movement, do you

know the demands put forth by the movement? (Q57,
Base = 1579)
7%

36%

Yes
No
Don't know/cannot

57%

63

If yes, do you agree or disagree with the demands of

the Janjati movement? (Q58, Base = 568)
10%

0%

9%

33%

Strongly agree
Somewhat agree
Somewhat disagree
Strongly disagree
Don't know/cannot say

48%
In your opinion, how can the Janjati movement be
resolved? (Q59, Base = 1579)

1% 7%

10%

By the government fulfilling their

demands unconditionally
By the govt negotiating with leaders
of Janjati movemement
By suppressing Janjati movement
through state security force

82%

Don't know/cannot say

64

Constituent Assembly Elections and

Political Parties

65

If the election for constituent assembly were to be held today,

whom would you vote for?
50

45

39

Percent

40

43
38

30

27

20

24

35
22

15

10
0
2007 Jan
Don't know/cannot say

2007 May
Political Parties

2008 Jan
Refused to disclose

66

Conclusion

Only a small proportion of people have heard about the issues

raised by the political parties such as federal state, proportional
electoral system, etc. Likewise, only a small proportion understand
what a constituent assembly election is.
The people have identified poverty, price hike and unemployment as
the major problems facing the country. People have likewise
identified development related issues as the main challenges at the
local level.
There is a mismatch between the expectations of the people and the
issues raised by political parties. It is necessary for political parties
to be sensitive towards overcoming poverty, price hike and
unemployment and initiate development activities at the local level.
The mood of the Madhes is different from the mood of the rest of the
country. The mood in the Madhes is becoming pessimistic. If the
state is not able to address the genuine greviances of Madhes the
country may be headed for another accident.
67