The government held discussions on overseas voting, inter-constituency voting and no-vote on Monday with second-tier leaders of political parties, the Election Commission, heads of security agencies, civil society leaders and representatives of the Gen-G movement. The discussions concluded that there were technical difficulties in implementing these issues immediately.

These issues were brought forward during the agreement signed between the government and Gen-G on 24 Mangs. The agreement mentioned giving voting rights to Nepalis living abroad, direct and proportional inter-constituency voting, and the provision of 'NOTA' on the ballot paper. The government has held discussions with parties, the Election Commission, and stakeholders in preparation for bringing a law to address these demands.

The government has prepared to amend the law through an ordinance, including provisions for voting rights, inter-constituency voting, and the right to no vote for Nepalis living abroad. However, political parties are suspicious of the government's plan to bring laws on these issues with less than 2 and a half months left for the election. The Election Commission has now said that if the election method and technology are changed, it will be difficult to hold the election on the scheduled date (21 Falgun).

Prime Minister Sushila Karki had organized a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to take the views of parties and other stakeholders. In the discussion, political party leaders expressed doubts about holding the election, saying that the government is on a path that is not practically possible to implement at this time. Government Education Minister Mahavir Pun and representatives of Gen-G have warned not to think about holding the election unless these issues are addressed.

The law being brought by the government is not possible to implement in the upcoming election, the government should focus on holding the election on the specified date, the next parliament should make laws on other issues: Mahendra Yadav, Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary The law being brought by the government is not possible to implement in the upcoming election, said Nepali Congress Joint General Secretary Mahendra Yadav. 'You have brought about three-four laws, that is good. It should be done. But is it possible in the election on 21 Falgun?' If the government completes this election, it will be a matter of happiness for all political parties and Gen-G as well.'

Saying that the Karki-led government should focus on completing the election on the scheduled date, Yadav opined that the parliament that comes out of the upcoming election should make laws on three issues. 'What reforms should be made by the parliament elected by the people?' Even if there is no disagreement about bringing these laws, it is a difficult matter,' he said.

UML Secretary Mahesh Basnet had asked Prime Minister Karki why he brought such agendas through other means without discussing them with political parties and stakeholders in a timely manner. 'The Prime Minister should have an open discussion with political parties instead of sending proposals through the back channel. An agreement has been reached with Gen-G on these issues, and we do not disagree with it in principle. If you are trying to send a message that we have made an agreement but these old political parties did not accept it, please do not think like that. We agree in principle with the agreement, let the government implement it practically,' said Basnet.

NCP leader Barshaman Pun said that the commission should speak on whether or not it can be implemented if a law has been brought to address these three issues related to elections. 'The three issues have been raised since the past. Our party has supported the issue of citizens living abroad being allowed to vote. If not all of them can be done now, the Election Commission should speak on how much can be done,' Pun said, 'Let's pilot a law to grant voting rights to those living abroad. Let's see if it is successful. But even then, if someone's intention is to postpone the election, we will not support it. Inter-district voting cannot be done directly, but it can be done proportionally. If they are trying to postpone the election on this pretext, it will not be supported.'

NCP leader Rajendra Pandey mentioned that there are Nepalis in 178 countries but there are Nepali missions in only 44 countries, and said, 'Who will collect voter details in those places?' How do we vote? What is the method to bring the vote to Nepal? He said that the government should not be in a hurry. 'The ordinances and acts being brought now are not enough to prepare for the election. Don't do anything that is not ready,' said Pandey.

RSP leader Shishir Khanal said that he supports the government to take forward the work that is practically possible. 'I heard that it is not possible for Nepalis living abroad to vote due to time. If today's time does not ensure voting rights for citizens living abroad, then at least make legal arrangements. We have heard that the Election Commission has said that inter-constituency voting is practically possible. If it is only a matter of political commitment, we are ready to give a political commitment,' he said. RPP leader Rajendra Gurung argued that Nepalis living abroad should be provided with voting rights. If it is not possible to give voting rights to Nepalis living abroad, then those living in the country should be given inter-constituency voting rights, otherwise the government should raise its hand saying that they did not come to hold elections: Bhavana Raut, Gen-G representative Gen-G representative Bhavana Raut said that if it is not possible to give voting rights to Nepalis living abroad, then those living in the country should be given the right to vote in inter-constituency . She asked the party representatives, ‘Is there an agreement on proportional and direct voting for inter-district voting? If inter-district voting is not held this time too, it will be an insult to the blood of martyrs and injured.’ She also warned that if the political parties and the government are not ready on this issue, then there will be no elections, ‘If this arrangement is not made, then the government should raise its hand saying that the elections are not our priority, we are not here to hold elections.’ Don't even think about holding elections until the voting rights of citizens within the country are ensured.' Gen-G representative Sagar Dhakal also said that despite raising his voice for a long time about granting voting rights to voters living abroad, it has not been addressed and many excuses are being made now. He said that the Gen-G generation should hold elections as they want.

It should be considered at this time to enter into which subject will make the election easier or difficult to hold the election on the scheduled date, the Commission has a huge workload: Ram Prasad Bhandari, Acting Chief Election Commissioner The Election Commission has expressed dissatisfaction with the amendment of the election law at this time. The Commission suspects that an attempt is being made to fail the election by amending the election law and blame the Commission for it. Acting Chief Election Commissioner Ram Prasad Bhandari said that it should be considered at this time to enter into which subject will make the election easier or difficult to hold the election on the scheduled date. 'Now let's consider which subject will be entered into or not. The Commission has a huge workload. We are also busy preparing for the National Assembly elections along with the House of Representatives,' Bhandari said. He reminded that when the Supreme Court gave its order on granting voting rights to voters living abroad, it also specified the tasks to be done by the government, the commission and the legislature. He also said that it has been two and a half years since the commission prepared a draft law covering the right to vote for Nepali citizens living abroad, inter-district voting or 'no vote' and submitted it to the government. He expressed dissatisfaction that the government has not taken it forward even though the commission has done its work. 'The commission is not making laws. If the draft bill prepared by the commission had become a law, there would be no problem in implementing those issues now,' Bhandari said. 'Since it is an autonomous constitutional body, it will only make rules incorporating the provisions in the law. It will prepare necessary guidelines and procedures.' He said that the commission has already prepared the necessary procedures and guidelines for conducting elections in accordance with the existing laws and rules. He informed that a code of conduct is being prepared and discussed.

‘When introducing any new method or technology related to elections, it is the practice to hold discussions among members of political parties, government representatives, civic leaders and stakeholders. We will decide whether to conduct the election using this method based on the conclusion of the group discussion,’ he said, ‘If the method and technology are made more complicated now, it may be difficult to get the work done with limited manpower. Wouldn’t adding technologies and ultimately making the issue more complicated affect the election? The Election Commission cannot be blamed for not being able to hold the election at that time.’ He suggested that the government and political parties should draw the necessary conclusions so that the election is held on the scheduled date as the only option for the election is elections and there are no other options.

Although there has been much talk of giving the right to vote to Nepali citizens living abroad, the necessary preparations have not been made for it. As the polling day approaches, the possibility of voting in exile is also diminishing. Although the commission did not explicitly use the term ‘not possible now’ in the all-party meeting called by the government, the statement of the chief commissioner indicated the same. ‘Only when the government gives the method will it be a matter of technology and preparation. There is no law yet. Even if the law comes now, it is not possible,’ said a commissioner who participated in the meeting. ‘We have already told the government that. We have also given a clear indication of that in the all-party meeting today. If the election is to be held on 21 Falgun, it cannot be done by adding new things.’ Gen-G youth have been saying that issues such as the right to vote for overseas Nepalis, inter-district voting and the provision of no vote should be included in this election. The commission has also rejected the proposal made by political parties to change the schedule for submitting closed lists of candidates towards the proportional election system. Chief commissioner Bhandari urged not to move towards that, saying that changing the set schedule will affect the election itself. He urged the government to analyze the possible clash between new and old political forces and formulate the necessary security strategy, saying that this time the security challenge could be different from the past.

Prime Minister Sushila Karki, despite listening to everyone, did not express her clear opinion on the amendment to the election law. ‘There is a provision in the constitution that elections should be held within 6 months.’ There was no mention of doing otherwise. There should not be a gap of more than 6 months between two sessions of parliament,’ she said. Stating that there was no doubt that the two-three demands raised by Gen-G should be met, she also pointed to the pressure of time. The Gen-G youth participating in the meeting have also expressed dissatisfaction after the government did not make a clear statement on the right to vote for Nepali citizens living abroad.

Before Prime Minister Karki’s address was over, Gen-G representative Raut expressed dissatisfaction saying that the government had not made a statement on granting the right to inter-district voting. ‘There was no answer, inter-district voting. The Home Minister had to speak.’ She demanded that Home Minister Aryal resign if legal arrangements could not be made for inter-district voting. Home Minister Aryal did not express an opinion in the meeting.

There is no plan for Nepalis living abroad to vote, what campaigns should Nepalis living abroad run? You should run them from your own places. The government and leaders did not show any style: Education Minister Mahabir Pun

Education Minister Mahabir Pun had questioned the Prime Minister himself about why he did not talk about giving the right to vote to Nepalis living abroad. He asked, ‘Did you talk about whether Nepalis living abroad will be able to vote or not?’ Minister Pun said that no conclusion had been reached after discussing for a whole day. Minister Pun, who left the meeting room after the Prime Minister, did not stop there. Responding to the media at the gate of the Prime Minister's Office, he raised questions about the government itself.