Rastriya Dalit Network (RDN) Nepal implemented “Voter Education Campaign” with the financial support United Nations Development Pogramme (UNDP/Electoral Support Project (ESP). The project was implemented in 200 wards of 18 Palikas in 9 districts (Kailali, Kanchanpur, Darchula, Baitadi, Bajhang, Dadeldhura, Doti, Aacham and Bajura) of Sudurpaschim province targeting 5000 Marginalized Dalits; freed Haliyas, landless Dalits and Badi. The duration of the project was from 15 April, 2022 to 30 May, 2022. The main objective of the project was to conduct education program to Dalit marginalized community: freed Haliyas, landless Dalits and Badi through democratic political participation. Rationale: The Government of Nepal has announced local level elections for May 13, 2022. Voting rights is the key rights under the political rights as per the universal declaration of human rights, 1948. On the other hand, the noble definition of democracy; of the people, for the people and by the people; also further reinforces the importance of voting rights in democratic system. In nutshell, voting rights of people is one of the major pillars of Democracy. Past events and experiences show that there are many people, especially poor, Dalits, women, marginalized Janajatis, Kamaiyas, Haliyas are not using their voting rights due to the creation of confusion. The main reasons behind it that has been observed in Sudurpaschim province of Nepal so far are: lack of information, unaware on the voting rights and sometimes negligence also. On the other hand, there are many ex-Kamaiyas, Badis and ex-Haliyas, who do not have their citizenship certificate due to lengthy and corrupted bureaucratic system of Nepal. Similarly, people who used to go India for seasonal labor are still missing in the voting rights. Therefore, voter education is essential to the marginalized Dalits; freed Haliyas, landless Dalits and Badi communities targeting upcoming local election.
Goal: Conduct education program to Dalit marginalized community: freed Haliyas, landless Dalits and Badi through democratic political participation
Objectives:
Objective-1: To sensitize the voters from marginalized Dalit communities: freed Haliyas, landless Dalits and Badi/voters for democratic participation in upcoming local election.
Objective-2: To increase the proportionate participation of Dalits from the candidacy of different political parties (Minimum 13.2% as per constitutional provision in upcoming local election.
Objective-3: To ensure the valid rate of vote through social media campaign of ECN and support for outreach plan of ECN for local level election and report outreach data.
Outputs:
Key Activities:
