The government has initiated discussions to remove legal hurdles so that citizens abroad can vote in the upcoming House of Representative elections scheduled for March 5, 2026.
Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal discussed with Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari to take the work forward on securing voting rights for citizens living overseas.
"There was a discussion with Home Minister Bhandari regarding the voting rights of citizens abroad. The old laws are a slight hindrance," Bhandari told Nepalkhabar. "We are holding discussions on how to resolve this, finding ways out to remove these legal obstacles."
Minister Aryal stated that work will be taken forward to ensure voting rights, at least toward the proportional representation system. "There is a compulsion to ensure voting rights, even if it's only for proportional representation," he said. "The Supreme Court has already issued an order to this effect. The Commission will identify the obstacles, and the government will make necessary laws to advance it."
He informed that the government is moving forward to ensure voting rights by arranging electronic voting at the respective country's embassies.
The interim government led by Sushila Karki, formed following the Gen Z movement on September 8 and 9, has a mandate to hold elections on March 5. As the House of Representatives is dissolved, the government will bring required laws through ordinances.
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