Kathmandu, September 19
The Election Commission says it is studying how Nepalis living abroad can cast their votes in the November 30 by-polls. However, it clarifies that the government must formulate the required laws to introduce the new system.
Speaking at a meeting of the State Affairs and Good Governance Committee of Parliament on Thursday, Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya said the commission so far found three possible options to introduce the system. He said the internet, traditional post box or a mobile app could be used to cast the votes.
There was another option of establishing a voting centre at Nepal’s diplomatic mission in other countries, he said, adding, “But that will not be easy for everyone living in different places. If you have to travel to a place to cast votes in the United States from another point, you can arrive in Nepal in a shorter time than that.”
The official was of the view that technical challenges were more important than financial ones to lets the Nepalis living abroad exercise their constitutional right.
On the occasion, Thapaliya informed that the commission studied existing voting provisions of 216 countries to find that 151 countries assured rights of their citizens living abroad.
He said the commission was wrapping up its other preparations for the polls.
“We are in the last stage. No obstructions have been faced so far. We are capable of conducting the polls fairly and impartially.”
