"All we need is political will to achieve this. We are prepared to take to the streets or engage in lobbying for that"
Kathmandu, December 7
Nepali students who have studied abroad or who are still studying abroad have submitted a letter advocating for Nepali students' and workers' voting rights while abroad with the Election Commission (EC). They have also planned to present the letter to the prime minister and president.
Hem Chaudhary, who is leading this initiative, told THT, "We just submitted it to the EC today and are planning to submit it to both the PM and the president. We have Nepali youth who themselves studied abroad and have returned to Nepal, and we are advocating for the voting rights of Nepali students and workers who are still abroad."
Hem Chaudhary, 27, is from Gaighat, Udayapur, studied Mathematics and Chemical-Biological Engineering at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and recently returned to Nepal to start a tech company from Nepal.
According to him, this initiative is being led by Nawa Yug and being supported by IRD Nepal, Gen Z Movement Alliance, Indigenous Gen Z Collective, Digital Dastak and Muslim Gen Z Nepal groups.
"Many youths like me have expressed zeal to return, but they are in a dilemma because of basic issues like this," he said.
"So far 60 different Nepali student groups associated with different universities around the world have endorsed it."
According to him, tens of thousands of Nepalis who have gone abroad for a variety of reasons - some seeking better opportunities and others receiving such opportunities - love their country wherever they are and are always concerned about its well-being, and their demand is simple: the right to vote in elections. "The irony is that Nepal has had democracy for 17-18 years. However, Nepalis living abroad continue to be denied the most basic democratic right – the right to vote in elections," he said. "Nepalis living abroad are highly skilled human resources. They can make significant contributions to Nepal's development, whether through money, knowledge or skills. To keep them connected to Nepal and in love with the country, they should be granted their constitutional rights – the right to vote – beginning with this election."
He further said, "We hope that the Election Commission will rise above political pressure and allow all Nepalis living abroad to vote on Nepal's leadership during this election."
Prakriti Dhakal, who has returned to Nepal after studying at the London School of Economics and Political Science and is also involved in the initiative, told THT that they had been working for voting rights for Nepalis abroad for some time and that it is feasible. "Ten days ago, we submitted a letter representing 42 migrant labour organisations to the PM and the Election Commission. Today, we submitted the letter, representing a group of 62 Nepali students studying abroad. But this petition is for all eligible Nepalis abroad."
According to her, their demands include allowing Nepalis living abroad to vote in both first-past-the-post (FPTP) and Proportional Representation (PR) elections, as well as inter-district voting.
"According to the research, this is feasible within 13 weeks. However, much work remains to be done, including consensus among the political parties, prime minister, president and EC. And Nepal will not be the first country to do so. Over 115 countries – both rich and poor – have assessed risks and budgets. Even Bangladesh is doing it in their February elections," she told THT. "All we need is political will to achieve this. We are prepared to take to the streets or engage in lobbying for that."
Earlier, in response to whether it is possible to create a voting setting for Nepalis abroad, Nilkantha Upreti, former Chief Election Commissioner of the EC, had told THT, "It is their constitutional right, and the Supreme Court has already ruled to implement it. Thus, with all the proven technologies and facilities, making laws, updating voter lists and holding elections is simple for Nepalis all over the world. Because delaying elections by one month is no big deal, but not doing so causes massive damage."