The northern border of Sankhuwasabha, Kimathanka, from where the city is visible during the day and the lights twinkle as night falls. The mountains and rivers beyond are the Dendang and Changa markets of Tibet. But Kimathanka awaits development in the dazzling light of solar panels.

Pasang Bhote, a resident of this place, is currently waiting for the candidates to hear the election agenda. As the House of Representatives elections to be held on Falgun 21 are approaching, he says, 'There are only a few days left, and it seems that the candidates will show their faces.'

Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-1 Kimathanka has a total population of 445 and 308 voters. In this settlement, which does not have a road network, the candidates have reached the places where there is road access, but they have not reached the remote Kimathanka. Local leaders of various parties have been asking for votes, but the voters want to hear the candidates' agenda directly.

'We transport goods from Chauri,' he said. 'There, large vehicles arrive at the doorsteps, there is neither transportation facilities nor a market for doing business. Since it is located in the border area, they demand that bilateral traffic be open. The market on the other side is well-equipped, and it is lit by electricity; On the other hand, the story of darkness and lack of development is the same .'

According to locals, the religious and social partisanship in the village, the social conflict created by the power project promoter, has not yet been resolved. The division within the community has affected development work. 'We want social peace, we want to move forward together,' he says, 'but there is no one to listen to our problems and complaints.'

As the election approaches, the voters of Kimathanka are concerned with the issue of development and accessibility. Their priorities are clear, roads, regular electricity, market arrangements, easy movement at the border, and resolution of local conflicts. But the disappointment has increased when the candidate himself does not come to the village with those issues.

The flickering light of the Tibetan city visible from the courtyard of their house is both hope and pain for them .  'There is light, there are facilities. We live in the dim light of solar,' says Pasang, 'We also want the same development.'

Leaders who come by helicopter are not seen during elections. 'They make speeches during elections saying they will build roads and light up the streets,' he said, 'but how long will we live in darkness like this? We also want to go to the district headquarters, Khandbari, by bike.'

In a remote settlement like Kimathanka, the process of voting is not just a matter of access and identity. Locals are worried that the voice of democracy will also be weakened in places where roads do not reach. Voters are waiting until the last minute, uncertain whether the candidates will reach the village and make their agenda public.

Will the Falgun 21 election remove the darkness of Kimathanka or leave it as it is, this question is currently swirling in the minds of 308 voters here. The residents of Kimathanka, who are watching the flickering city, say, 'We will vote this time, but when will development reach our village?' According to local Kami Bhote, the nearest markets for Kimathanka residents to shop are Dendang and Changa markets in Tibet. It takes 45 minutes to walk to Kimathanka. It takes at least 4 days to transport salt oil from the district headquarters Khandbari to Kimathanka. 

Although Sankhuwasabha is considered rich in geography, culture, and natural resources, development has not been able to pick up the pace as expected. From the world's lowest 457-meter Arun Valley to the world's fifth highest 8,463-meter Makalu Himal, this district is located. But despite spending about 40 billion rupees on development in the last five years, economic, social, and structural changes have not been able to make a significant leap.