KATHMANDU: Political parties and candidates in Myagdi district have changed their traditional campaign methods for the upcoming election to the House of Representatives.

Instead of past practices such as pasting large posters and pamphlets on walls and organising massive election rallies, candidates this time are focusing on neighbourhood-level interactions.

They are visiting communities to hold discussions with voters, conducting door-to-door campaigns, and organising small-scale programs.

Along with this, extensive priority has been given to the use of “digital campaign materials” through social media.

At present, along with candidates, party leaders and cadres are emphasising door-to-door outreach and direct interactions with voters.

Leaders have been assigned responsibilities to campaign within their respective local governments.

Those assigned are promoting their parties and candidates through direct voter engagement and via social media platforms.

With the support of cameramen, candidates are producing and posting daily video content on Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, and are also adopting live-streaming styles of campaigning.

Notably, independent candidate Mahabir Pun has been touring neighbourhoods with a handheld microphone, using a traditional town-crier style to address the public by calling out, “Come, people! Mahabir is here,” and sharing his messages.

Member of the election publicity committee of Nepali Congress in Myagdi, Nirmal Khatri, said that this time efforts are being made to connect with voters through video messages, live broadcasts, and digital materials on social media.

He added that the secretariat of Nepali Congress candidate Karna Bahadur Bhandari has prioritised direct interactions and digital campaigning.

Candidate Harikrishna Shrestha of CPN-UML is also following a similar approach by reaching voters door-to-door.

According to UML leader Prakash Poudel, the party is promoting its past development works and the candidate’s commitments through videos, songs, TikTok content, and podcasts.

Similarly, the secretariat of independent candidate Mahabir Pun is actively engaged in digital campaigning through postcards, reels, and video content.

Pun’s aide Chitra Tilija said that direct voter engagement and extensive use of digital technology are being employed for election campaigning.

Likewise, the secretariat of the Nepal Communist Party candidate Arjun Thapa has also prioritised digital campaigning.

According to party leader Govinda Poudel, campaign activities are being intensified by conducting meetings, direct dialogues, and broadcasting voter feedback live on Facebook.

In the same way, candidates including Dambar Subedi of the Rastriya Prajatantra Party, Chhem Bahadur Bishwakarma of the Rastriya Janamorcha, and Kshetra Bahadur Ghimire of the CPN (Maoist Centre) are also campaigning through social media platforms.

Altogether, there are 12 candidates in the race in Magdi — one independent and 11 from political parties.

Most candidates in the district have prioritised issues such as blacktopping the nationally important Kali Gandaki Corridor, construction of other roads, drinking water supply, education, promotion of agriculture, accessible health services, and employment opportunities.

Local intellectual Raju KC said that the presence of new candidates, the participation of an independent candidate amid party politics, and the changing campaign styles have made this election more interesting.

As the election date approaches and the use of digital technology in campaigning increases, cybersecurity challenges have also been rising.

Conflicts have been seen growing due to abusive and negative comments by supporters on candidates’ content.

The Office of the Chief Election Officer has stated that strict monitoring is being carried out to prevent misuse of social media.

Myagdi, which has one parliamentary constituency, six local governments, and 45 wards, has 86,397 registered voters.

For the election, 82 polling stations and 120 polling centres have been designated in the district.