Election Commission holds talks on letting Nepalis abroad vote

The Election Commission has intensified preparations and discussions with stakeholders on implementing a system that would allow Nepali citizens living abroad to vote in upcoming elections. This is known as out-of-country voting.

Chief Election Commissioner Man Bahadur Karki and other commission officials have begun consulting experts on the possible options.

According to commission spokesperson Narayan Prasad Bhattarai, discussions are underway on the actual number of Nepalis living abroad, how to include them in the voter list, and the role of diplomatic missions in the election.

The commission said it is studying various voting methods, including setting up polling stations at embassies and consulates, postal voting, voting through representatives, and electronic or hybrid systems.

Spokesperson Bhattarai said discussions are also taking place on technical and administrative issues such as managing polling stations and safely storing ballots after voting.

With facilitation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the commission has also held talks with heads of Nepali embassies and diplomatic missions in various countries.

If implemented, the system would allow hundreds of thousands of Nepalis abroad to vote from the countries where they currently live.