Kewataliya on the Indian side and Phulpur on the Nepalese side are separated by a 30-metre no man's land, but the lives of their residents are entwined, thanks to the porous border between the two countries.

The only difference will be that instead of Mayawati, Prachanda will be on their mind.

"Everything has undergone a complete change after the end of monarchy in Nepal. In the past, when elections were held under the monarchy, no villager evinced any political interest. But this time, it is a question of Madhesis' survival in Nepal. So, we too, are concerned about the results of Nepal elections," Fujail Ahmad, a Kewataliyan resident, told The Indian Express.

Ahmed may not be casting vote but his relatives on the other side of the border will.

"My relatives are businessmen in Bhairwan, which is a few kilometres from here," he said, explaining why he is impatiently waiting for the elections.

Under the surface lies a labyrinth of secrets these two villages share - the chief being a sort of 'dual citizenship'.

"Our agricultural land is on the Nepal side. The villagers of Nepal side have their lands in the Indian side of the border," disclosed a villager on condition of anonymity. Citizenship, which was earlier used to purchase property in the Himalayan nation, "is now needed to become politically strong in Nepalese politics," he added.

Still, new ways have been devised to save their property in Nepal. "One or two family members have preferred to stay in Nepal with the citizenship," he said.

Villagers said the system of owning land in the Nepal by Indians has been on for long. "Before the emergence of Maoists in Nepal, it was not a problem. But those who get their share in the ancestral property in Nepal side, are facing the music this time," said one Ramkeshu.

Many people with Nepalese citizenship have already crossed over to take part in Thursday's elections.

Similar stories can be heard at villages like Khanua, Sheikh Farinda, Tilahwa and Laxmipur as well.

The administration has already tightened the security along the border and initiated strict checking at the outpost.

"We have stopped vehicular movements at all entry points to Nepal. By midnight, people will not even be allowed to cross the border on foot," said the Superintendent of Maharjganj police.

The border will be sealed by Thursday night.