Nepal, May 28 -- Three years have passed since Nepal's 2022 local level elections. With three annual budgets already presented and only two remaining, the countdown for elected representatives has begun. Many local chairs are in their second and final term, as the Constitution bars a third. Having already served eight years, this period is crucial for leaving a meaningful legacy and showcasing effective governance.

Recently, I joined an interaction in Hetauda with chairs and vice-chairs from 74 rural municipalities in Bagmati Province. The session centred on 22 exclusive powers of local governments, as enshrined in the Constitution and elaborated in the Local Government Operation Act, 2017. Disappointingly, many leaders-even those in the...