National Indigenous Women’s Federation (NIWF) was among the 46 national organizations that received accreditation from the Election Commission to observe Nov 20 parliamentary polls. NIWF appointed 163 indigenous and non-indigenous participants from all seven provinces for this.  NIWF launched a report on the experience of observers, amid an event. In the event, Anthropologist and Researcher, Amit Tamang, talked about the issue of lack of citizenship and therefore, voting cards of  Chepangs Indigenous Communities in Ichhyakamana Municipality, Chitwan. Nanu Thami, who previously represented as a candidate from the Indigenous quota representation, shared her personal experiences of feeling discriminated against and excluded in the party and political matters. She expressed that the quota elected representatives are not given permits to enter the election centers which clearly depicts that proportionally elected ones are not given the right validation and acknowledgment as it is given to others.

Similarly, Joint Secretary of the Election Commission of  Nepal, Shaligram Sharma Poudel expressed his reservation about the report and claimed not to accept it. With a somewhat authoritative tone, he commented on how the Election Commission asked for a general report, not centered on Indigenous Women. “Indigenous Women is a small chapter and we should be focusing on more important issues like booth capturing or corruption during the Elections.”