Kathmandu, November 25
The Nepal Gen Z Front has demanded that Nepali citizens living abroad as well as residing within the country but outside their home districts be provided access to voting rights.
A team of youth activists, including Amrita Ban from the Front’s Campaign Committee, Binita Bogati, the Karnali Province contact person, along with members Rishi Thapa, Nabin Bista, Adarsh Karn, Diamond Shahi, and others reached the Election Commission and submitted a memorandum.
According to Karnali Province contact person Binita Bogati, the Election Commission expressed a clear view that necessary preparations could be made.
She said that the Commission mentioned it would be possible to implement the system if the government provided legal and technical support.
The memorandum submitted by the Gen Z Front states that although Nepal’s Constitution guarantees every Nepali who has reached the age of 18 the right to vote in the House of Representatives election, Nepali citizens living abroad and those residing in districts other than their home district for employment, study, or other reasons have been deprived of this right.
The memorandum mentions that the state has kept citizens away from their constitutional rights till now by using minor legal and technical complexities as an excuse.
The Front stated that since the upcoming House of Representatives election on March 6 is being held on the strength of the historic Gen Z uprising, rather than under normal and traditional circumstances, the state must not discriminate among citizens regarding voting rights this time.
At this decisive moment, when the new generation seeks change and demands representation, the participation of Nepali youth abroad and young students living outside their home districts is essential, the Front stated. It warned that if these groups of citizens are once again deprived of voting rights, the March 5 election would become meaningless and undemocratic.
The memorandum notes that around four million Nepalis are living across various countries for foreign employment, study, and other purposes, and denying them the right to vote is a direct violation of their constitutional rights.
Similarly, millions of Nepalis within the country live outside their home districts due to employment, education, and other reasons. However, the lack of easy access for them to vote has affected their right to equality, freedom of expression, and democratic practices, the memorandum states.
The Front demanded that arrangements allowing Nepalis living abroad to vote be implemented starting with the upcoming House of Representatives election.
It further stressed that citizens residing in districts other than their home district must also be given easy access to vote and that voter education and awareness programs should be conducted through both physical and digital platforms to reach Nepalis around the world.
The memorandum concludes by expressing confidence that the Election Commission has an important role in protecting citizens’ constitutional rights and strengthening Nepal’s democracy, and it expects positive and decisive action from the Commission on this matter.
