Birendranagar, Feb. 19 -- Eligible voters across the nation are enthusiastic, and may be worried at the same time, to exercise their franchise as the House of Representatives election draws near. Electors have their own political inclinations and preferences when choosing candidates and parties.

However, residents of Rekcha village in ward 5 of Chaukune Rural Municipality have set a condition for supporting candidates contesting the March 5 polls. The villagers unanimously say they will vote only for candidates who can resolve their long-standing drinking water crisis, as chronic shortage continues to drive families away from the settlement.

Situated in western Surkhet, a hill district of Karnali province, the village has struggled with...