Himal Press 
KATHMANDU: The Election Commission (EC) has proposed a series of charges in the election law in Nepal, aiming to enhance the electoral process and promote inclusivity.
A meeting of the Election Commission held in Kathmandu made the proposal, according to a statement issued by the EC.
One of the major changes proposed by the EC is the introduction of an online-based voter enrollment system. This would streamline the voter registration process, making it more accessible and efficient. Additionally, the EC plans to compile a voter list specifically for Nepali citizens residing in foreign countries, allowing them to exercise their voting rights from abroad.
To ensure the integrity of elections, the EC has proposed a provision that restricts candidates who have lost in federal, provincial, and local elections from running for re-election in other constituencies. Another notable proposal is to bar candidates, who have already been elected twice under the proportional representation (PR) system, from becoming candidates under the same system again.
Recognizing the importance of gender equality, the EC has decided that political parties must nominate a minimum of 33% of women candidates in first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting. Furthermore, parties filing candidacy for mayor and deputy mayor, or chairperson and vice-chairperson positions in local units, are required to include at least one woman. In addition, 33% of the candidates filed by parties for the position of ward chairperson in local units must be women.
Similarly, the EC has also proposed that the term of members of the House of Representatives, provincial assemblies, and office-bearers of local units should commence from the day of their election. Likewise, the EC has proposed to introduce ‘None of the Above’ (NOTA) option on the ballot paper. This would provide voters with the choice to reject all candidates if they find none of them suitable, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.
“The changes have been proposed considering several factors like the Supreme Court order, international practice, and past experiences,” the EC said in the statement.
Proposed Changes:
- Implementation of an online-based voter registration system.
- Compilation of a voter list for Nepali citizens residing abroad; allow Nepalis residing abroad to vote under the PR system.
- Introduction of a provision prohibiting candidates who have lost in federal, provincial, or local elections from running for re-election in other constituencies until the completion of their term.
- Restriction on candidates who have twice been elected under the PR system from becoming PR candidates again.
- Mandatory inclusion of at least 33% of women candidates in first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting.
- Parties filing candidacy for mayor and deputy mayor, or chairperson and vice-chairperson positions in local units, are required to include at least one woman. If a party nominates a candidate for one of these two positions, it must be a woman.
- 33% of the candidates filed by parties for the position of ward chairperson in local units must be women.
- Terms of members of the House of Representatives, provincial assemblies, and local unit office-bearers will begin from the day of their election.
- Introduction of the “None of the Above” (NOTA) option on the ballot paper.
