Achham, Jan. 14 -- The courtyards of the District Administration Office (DAO) and the District Police Office in Achham, a hill district of Sudurpaschim province, have been unusually crowded in recent days, bustling from morning till evening with young faces clutching their document folders. Most are aged between 18 and 22, standing patiently in long queues, eyes fixed on what they see as a first step towards opportunity and financial independence.

Some are applying for citizenship certificates for the first time, while the others, who have just received theirs, hurry across the compound to the police office to submit application forms. The sudden rush follows the opening of applications for election police ahead of the House of Represent...