KATHMANDU: As Nepal’s general election approaches, a growing number of residents are leaving Kathmandu Valley to exercise their right to vote and choose local representatives.

Major checkpoints and bus terminals across the federal capital are bustling with travelers heading back to their hometowns, highlighting the nation’s rising electoral fervor.

Early morning crowds were particularly noticeable at Gongabu’s New Bus Park and Kalanki.

Passengers traveling to Sudurpashchim, Karnali, Lumbini, and Madhesh provinces account for a significant share of the surge.

Many voters, treating the election as a festival of democracy, are prioritizing their civic duty over daily routines to return home and cast their ballots.