Report suggests local elections could test out-of-district voting

The Election Commission has submitted a report to the government suggesting that testing of out-of-district voting could begin from the upcoming local-level election itself.

Election commissioners Guru Prasad Wagle and Dr Rajib Subba said the report, sent to the Home Ministry, includes suggestions on the legal and technical arrangements needed for this. The report addresses what could be done in law and technology to enable voters living abroad or outside their constituency to take part.

The technical section of the report was prepared under the coordination of Commissioner Subba. It states that once the necessary law and technology are in place, voting could be conducted from designated locations for the purpose of testing.

The Commission has indicated that out-of-district voting could be tested from at least one location in each province. Local-level elections are expected to be held toward the end of this year or early next year.