NPI recommends arrangement of voting rights to Nepalis abroad

Kathmandu, Oct 14: The Nepal Policy Institute (NPI) has submitted policy recommendation to the Election Commission, urging it to make arrangements of voting by Nepali citizens living abroad. 

The NPI submitted the nine-point recommendation on 'Arrangement of voting for Nepali citizens living abroad, upcoming elections and possible measures thereafter' to the Election Commissioner Januka Tuladhar, other office bearers and Secretary Madhav Panta.

Sharing that many countries in the world have exercised voting rights to their citizens living abroad using different methods, it suggested adopting mixed-type of external voting method for Nepalis abroad. 

Mexico had ensured voting rights to its citizens living abroad in the federal election held in 2024 and the Philippines had adopted this provision in the 2025 election.

The NPI proposed that external mixed voting model (direct voting at embassy, postal voting and I-voting (internet-based voting) for Nepal learning from the experience of Mexico and the Philippines.  

NPI Chairperson Dr Khagendra Dhakal said opportunity of voting should be ensured for the Nepali abroad not to deprive them from fundamental rights of voting in national election in the context when millions of Nepali citizens are in abroad for various purposes. 

As per the experts, e-voting is the process of voting through electronic voting at embassy or polling station while I-voting is the process of voting at a safe server from the places they are residing through internet. 

President Dhakal mentioned that I-voting technology is different and more inclusive solution than e-voting. 

According to NPII Secretariat in Kathmandu, the policy recommendation was submitted at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Home Ministry, Foreign Ministry and other government bodies.(RSS)