Kathmandu, February 14
A Supreme Court order to make voting arrangements for the Nepalis abroad has witnessed dillydallying in the implementation aspect.
The stakeholders have also noted that it is feasible to enforce the order.
At a virtual policy dialogue series organised by Nepal Policy Institute (NPI) on Sunday, the stakeholders said exercising the franchise would be possible for Nepali immigrants with the use of technology.
“Wherever they are, those having Nepali identity should be provided with voting right. The Election Commission has already undertaken a study in this regard,” said former chief election commissioner Nila Kantha Uprety. He further said, “The apex court has issued an order to this effect, but it has not been taken into action.”
The associate dean of the Kathmandu University School of Management, Achyut Wagle, said the franchise should continue to remain until and unless passport and citizenship are given up. “There has been political manoeuvring on the data of Nepalis abroad. It is stated that over four million people are residing outside, which is a grave issue”, Dr Wagle noted.
Senior advocate Dinesh Tripathi said, “Those making significant contributions should in no way be deprived of the franchise.”
With the local elections announced for May 13, the issue of providing voting rights to Nepalis abroad has surfaced again.
