Kathmandu: Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya emphasized the need for intensive discussions among political parties and relevant stakeholders regarding the participation of Nepali voters abroad in the election process.

Addressing a program organized by the Election Commission and the International Organisation for Migration, CEC Thapaliya highlighted the global concern of ensuring voting rights for Nepali citizens living away from their registered voting locations and those living abroad. He underscored the importance of establishing legal and managerial arrangements based on the existing constitutional framework and international legal practices.

Election Commission Secretary Rabi Lal Pantha reiterated the Commission's commitment to addressing the voting rights of Nepalis living abroad. He noted that migration is both a right and, in some cases, a necessity, pointing out that voter turnout in the last election was less than 50 percent in several districts and constituencies, likely due to outmigration.

The program aims to generate suggestions and recommendations through discussions among experts, political party representatives, and stakeholders. Both the Election Commission and the government are actively working to implement the Supreme Court's March 2018 directive to make legal arrangements allowing Nepalis abroad to vote in elections.