KATHMANDU, NOVEMBER 13

Prime Minister Sushila Karki has emphasized the need to assess the practicability of inter-constituency voting in Nepal.

During a meeting with stakeholders at her office in Singha Durbar on Thursday, Prime Minister Karki said that Nepalis living abroad also deserve the right to vote.

'Political parties and candidates face financial burdens while transporting voters from cities to their respective constituencies, which often leads to corruption. Considering this, a meaningful initiative is imperative,' she stated.

The Prime Minister noted that the traditional way of conducting elections fails to meet the aspirations of Generation Z, underscoring the importance of adopting innovative measures to send a positive message.

'Let us establish a system,' she said, adding that political consensus would be essential for such a move. 'All sides must be prepared. The younger generation is digitally literate, and this should be acknowledged by the political leadership.'

The meeting was attended by Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal, officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Policy Research Institute, and the Department of National ID and Civil Registration.

During the meeting, a presentation was made based on a research study conducted by the Policy Research Institute on the feasibility of granting voting rights to Nepalis residing abroad.

On the occasion, Home Minister Aryal remarked that the government was under pressure to bring about reforms and move beyond past practices in the electoral process.

'This is an election government,' he said. 'Therefore, past mistakes must be corrected, and we must move forward accordingly.'

Following the discussions, a study team was formed comprising representatives from relevant ministries, the Election Commission, and the Policy Research Institute to further explore the matter.