As just two weeks are left for the second phase of local level elections scheduled for June 28, poll-related activities are gaining momentum in Sunsari with political parties and election candidates intensifying their election publicity campaign.

Nepali Congress, CPN-UML, Rastriya Prajatantra Party and CPN (Maoist Center) have already announced candidacies for the posts of mayor, deputy mayor, wards chairs and other members.

With the finalisation of name list of candidates by all political parties here for the new local-level leadership, going to be elected nearly in two decades, election publicity campaign has intensified in the political sphere.

Sunsari, the district in the eastern Terai, lies in the Province No. 1, and has a total of two sub-metropolitan cities, four municipalities and six village councils. A total of 421,159 voters are choosing 644 representatives here through the June 28 election.

Growing rift which has become clearly visible in the national political circle is expected to have impact on the outcomes of local-level election as well. Such polarisation has made the pre-result estimates unpredictable.

Poll candidates are visiting the voters' doorsteps as they are seeking to win their support for the election.

However, cases of violation of election code of conduct by political parties and candidates are reported in the district. It seems that political parties just want to 'show' their presence and 'woo' the voters. Going against the election code of conduct, all political parties taking part in the election here have defaced the public places by haphazardly placing election banners and party flags. Distribution of t-shirts and caps bearing the election symbols of political parties is rampant.

Election candidates are seen busy in trying to convince the voters about their election agenda, reaching every street, wards and even people's doorsteps, despite the programmes of protest announced by the Rastriya Janata Party Nepal against the election. Political parties' election publicity campaigns have led to the creation of election fervor in the district. RSS