Surkhet, Feb. 27 -- As villages across Nepal gear up for the March 5 House of Representatives elections, there is little sign of political activity in the Raute settlement.

The Raute, a nomadic indigenous community living in Karnali and nearby districts, remain largely disconnected from government institutions. Community members say they are unfamiliar with political parties, leaders, and how elections are conducted. Even though campaign vehicles travel along the Madan Bhandari Highway, candidates do not enter the Raute settlement. Community members say they have never voted and do not intend to. Their issues are also missing from party manifestos.

The group recently relocated from Lamana forest in ward 7 of Lekbeshi Municipality, Surkh...