Rajya Bhul, 52, of Mangalsen Municipality-4, is currently working as an election police officer. She is generally literate and had applied for temporary police service in the 2079 elections. She did not pass the written exam then. This time, she has joined the election police along with her daughter.

Rajya has 6 daughters and 2 sons. Two of her daughters are married. She and her husband Padam have been working as laborers to raise the rest of the children.

She said that she tried to join the electoral police after it became difficult to meet the family's expenses due to her weak financial situation. 'Apart from the gunyu-choli, I had not even worn a kurta or trousers. Now, I feel ashamed and embarrassed when I wear the uniform of a police officer, and I feel like I have gained courage,' Rajya said.

She said, 'When I was selected and came to training on the first day, I came wearing the gunyu-choli. I was surprised when I wore the uniform that I had never thought of, when I trained like a police officer. It was also a new experience for me.'

Becoming an electoral police officer is not her desire but a compulsion. Due to her weak financial situation and the discrimination and ostracism of her family and society after the birth of her six children, she became mentally and socially isolated. 'I had 6 daughters waiting for a son. When I had one daughter after another, I had to endure the scorn of my family, relatives and society. I couldn't stay at home. We made a temporary shelter away from my family,' she said, 'After I had a son who received my husband's love and support. Now I have 2 sons. I have also received my husband's love.'

Rajya, who is struggling with physical, mental and financial problems, also made her daughter apply for the election police. Mother and daughter are training in the same uniform and at the same place. 'Earlier, when I came to apply for the temporary police, my husband did not support me. He used to get angry that a woman should not do such a job. This time, perhaps he understood. I came on my husband's advice,' she said.

After his wife and daughter were deployed as election police, Padam Bhul's daily life has also changed. He is now handling most of the responsibilities in the house alone. Padam says he is proud to see his wife and daughter taking on new responsibilities. ‘Earlier, I thought women shouldn’t do such work,’ he said, ‘Now I feel happy when I see the hard work and confidence of my daughter and wife.’

Mothers and daughters who are busy with training all day are tired when they return in the evening. Padam says that he is doing his best to help them. ‘My wife and daughter Soban leave home at 8 am and arrive at 6 pm. I cook food for them by the time they arrive,’ says Padam, ‘Mothers and daughters who are tired all day wake up late in the morning. I cook breakfast myself. Now I realize how difficult it is to run a household.’

Bindra Bhat, 42, of Mangalsen Municipality-5, has become an election police officer for the second time. Her daily life is not easy. The 40 days she has to work as an election police officer are more difficult than others. She has been handling the responsibility of cattle, taking care of five children, and the role of an election police officer at the same time. There are three buffaloes, two cows and three bulls in her cowshed, which she also takes care of herself.

Bindra explained her routine, saying, ‘I wake up at 3 am. After collecting cow dung and cooking, I go on duty at 8 pm. I return at 6 pm to finish the housework and it is 11 pm.’ She said that she has not been able to sleep even 3 hours at night since becoming an election police officer. She says that the money she received from being an election police officer makes it easy to meet household expenses. ‘My husband is sick. Our children are young. There is no source of income,’ she said, ‘I joined in the hope of meeting expenses, even if it is for a few days.’