The move of the Election Commission to test voting by Nepalis living overseas for the election to the House of Representatives scheduled for March 5 has raised hope and interest in Nepal's diaspora of participating in polls. Gen Z youth have been pressing for voting rights for Nepalis living abroad. In fact, the government and the EC are considering four options such as in-person voting through embassies, online voting via a secure portal, postal voting, and proxy voting. Of them, in-person voting seems most likely to be tried first. Officials say that this would be the most manageable option to start with, though it involves tight coordination with host governments, security arrangements, and transportation of election materials from Nepal. While online voting could be more hassle-free, it can create some problems regarding cybersecurity and verification of voters. Higher cost and delays can prove problematic to postal voting and proxy voting can prove to be risky for voters’ privacy. Despite such practical obstacles, the EC has intended to start a pilot project in 10 to 15 countries where there are approximately 5,000 to 10,000 eligible voters.
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This move can be regarded as a symbolic one for the country that heavily relies on remittances. Millions of Nepalis live abroad, remitting money home to keep their families and the nation’s economy afloat. However, they have been kept out of the ballot box so far, making them unable to participate in voting which could be decisive for the fate of their homeland. Getting voting rights overseas is a way to ensure their participation in nation building. Giving them a vote acknowledges that their role and stakes in Nepal's democracy is no less than those living within its borders. This is a matter our Gen Z has pushed into the mainstream. Many young Nepalis who are studying or working abroad are politically informed, digitally connected, and eager to be a part of positive changes in Nepal. They feel voting is a right as well as a duty. The current time is a time of global mobility and rapid surge in technology. To say that logistical difficulties make overseas voting is nothing but a failure to understand technology defining our everyday life.
Despite all these, overseas voting for Nepalis will depend on preparations and effective execution of plans. Since Nepalis live in several nations across the globe, overseas voting for Nepali Diaspora appears to be a testing one. Therefore, overseas voting requires preparation, effective communication, and coordination between Nepal and the host countries. Transparency at each stage of voter registration, identity verification, and result management appears to be necessary steps. Even a pilot phase must prove that it is trustworthy, secure, and, most importantly, inclusive. If the EC fails to get these basics right, it can weaken public confidence before the overseas voting takes place. However, if conducted in right and trustworthy ways, this program could transform the way that elections are organized in Nepal. It can bring in millions of Nepalis living abroad closer to national politics and make parties take diaspora concerns seriously for the first time. While it can make Nepalis happier, it can also modernize the country's voting system. For now, the EC’s project appears small, it is a praiseworthy and meaningful step towards recognizing that every Nepali at home and abroad deserves an equal say in the making of the nation’s future.
