KATHMANDU, Nov 25: Nepal Gen Z Front, a group of youths formed following the September 8 and 9 protest, has submitted a set of three demands to the Election Commission, calling for guaranteed voting rights for Nepali citizens living abroad.
Representatives of the Gen Z Front including Binita Bogati and Amrita Ban, On Monday, handed an official memorandum to Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari.
The Gen Z Front’s primary demand is to ensure voting rights of Nepalis living abroad by creating effective voting mechanisms.
Four ways Nepalis overseas could vote — EC begins pilot for Mar...
It has also called for arrangements that would allow citizens living in areas other than their constituencies to ensure the voting. Many people live in different cities across the country away from their homeland for reasons such as employment, education or personal circumstances.
Earlier, Prime Minister Sushila Karki had also asked the EC to ensure this provision, citing it was one of the demands of the Gen Z protest.
“There is a significant population of citizens who live in districts other than their home district due to work, study, or other reasons. Nepal’s Constitution grants voting rights to all citizens either those living in other constituencies or those living abroad” the memorandum reads. “However, in reality, citizens from both groups continue to be deprived of this constitutional right.”
The Gen Z Front has also demanded that voter education and awareness programs be made accessible to Nepalis living in all parts of the world through digital platforms.
