Bajhang, March 6 -- Kalu Kami's house at Jadepani in ward 1 of Jayaprithvi Municipality once buzzed with political hopefuls. During the 2022 general elections, leaders and party workers streamed into his courtyard, eager to win over a family whose collective vote could sway results.

"Sometimes it was leaders, sometimes the party activists. There was always someone at our door. We hardly had time to eat properly. A day or two before polling, they would even post someone here, fearing our votes might be stolen," said Kalu.

The reason was simple arithmetic. His extended household-five brothers, their wives, sons, nephews and daughters-in-law-accounted for 32 votes. The family voted as one, after internal consultation, making them a prized ...