From Policy Experts to Technocrats, Professionals vie for Parliamentary Seats

From economists to infrastructure and energy experts, a growing number of professionals have entered the electoral fray, seeking to reach Parliament through the House of Representatives elections scheduled for March 5.

Several experts and professionals have registered candidacies for direct seats, arguing that informed policy-making requires lawmakers with subject-matter expertise.

Economist Swarnim Wagle, a former vice-chairman of the National Planning Commission, is contesting from Tanahun-1. Wagle, who won a by-election from the same constituency earlier, also served as a member of the Finance Committee under the now-dissolved House of Representatives. During his parliamentary tenure, he drew attention for evidence-based interventions on economic legislation, including the Bank and Financial Institutions Act (BAFIA). A vice-chair of the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), Wagle is facing Nepali Congress candidate Govinda Bhattarai and CPN-UML’s Bhagwati Neupane, a former minister.

Former Nepal Electricity Authority managing director Kulman Ghising, credited with playing a key role in ending prolonged load-shedding, is also in the race. Ghising, an engineer and chair of the Ujyalo Nepal Party, is contesting from Kathmandu-3. He is competing against candidates including former Kathmandu Metropolitan City Police chief Raju Pandey. Ghising resigned from his post as minister for energy, physical infrastructure and urban development to contest the election.

Mukesh Raj Kafle, another former managing director of the Nepal Electricity Authority, is contesting from Mahottari-1 as a Nepali Congress candidate. An engineer by profession, Kafle faces competition from Communist Party of Nepal leader and former education minister Giriraj Mani Pokharel.

Scientist Mahabir Pun has also entered the race from Myagdi after resigning as education minister in the interim government led by Sushila Karki. Running as an independent candidate with support from the RSP, Pun is campaigning on an innovation-led development agenda and is contesting against candidates from major parties, including the Nepali Congress and the UML.

Former National Planning Commission vice-chairman Govind Raj Pokharel is contesting from Pyuthan on a Nepali Congress ticket. Pokharel previously headed the Alternative Energy Promotion Centre and will face UML secretary Surya Bahadur Thapa, among others.

Infrastructure expert Ashish Gajurel, who resigned from the Nepal Intermodal Transport Development Committee, is contesting from Sindhuli-2 as an RSP candidate. He faces competition from CPN leaders including Lekhnath Dahal.

Other professional candidates include former Additional Inspector General of Police Bishwaraj Pokharel in Okhaldhunga, Dr Lekh Jung Thapa in Rupandehi-3, and advocate Sulav Kharel, who is contesting against former finance minister Bishnu Paudel. Engineer Sagar Dhakal is contesting from Gulmi-1 on an RSP ticket, where he faces Nepali Congress leader Chandra Bhandari and UML leader Pradeep Gyawali.

Compared to the Nepali Congress and the UML, newer parties such as the RSP and Ujyalo Nepal Party have fielded a larger number of expert candidates. However, despite their technical expertise, many are new to electoral politics and face significant challenges on the campaign trail.

Economist Chandra Mani Adhikari says the presence of knowledgeable lawmakers in Parliament could positively influence policy-making. “If people who understand the subject matter enter Parliament, policies are more likely to be evidence-based and effective,” he said, adding that past decisions made without adequate study or under political pressure have caused long-term harm to the country.