EC chief vows enabling NRNs to cast votes during elections

Kathmandu / Sept 19: Chief Election Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Thapaliya has said that the Election Commission is positive toward making necessary arrangements to enable Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) to cast votes in the election.

Speaking at a meeting of Parliamentary Committee on State Affairs on Thursday, Thapaliya said that the commission has been making a detailed study on the appropriate measures to include the Nepalis in voting.

Stressing on a distinct legal provision regarding this issue, he further suggested the government to introduce online, postal or mobile voting systems.

“We have to introduce new systems to address this issue as setting up polling booths away from the home is not practical from the legal point of view,” he said.

On a different note, EC Chief informed that the election body has expedited preparations for the by-election scheduled to be held on November 30. He said, “We have started updating the electoral roll keeping by-polls in mind. Voter’s Identity Card will be distributed once we update the list in a week.”

According to EC, 21 political parties have registered applications for the November polls.

The by-election is being held for vacant seats of Federal Parliament from Kaski Constituency 2, Provincial Assembly of Baglung, Dang and Bhaktapur and 47 from various local levels.