Nepal has more than four million citizens living and working in other countries. Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) send home a huge amount of money over $10 billion last year. This is more than what Nepal earns from tourism, foreign aid, and hydropower combined. But even though NRNs support Nepal’s economy, they have not been able to vote from abroad. They could only vote if they came back to Nepal in person, which many people working overseas cannot do. With the next national elections on 5 March 2026, and after the youth-led protests in September 2025, the government has finally started working to allow NRNs to vote from outside Nepal for the first time.
Relevant laws and policies:
Nepal has several laws that deal with the rights of citizens living abroad. The main one is the Non-Resident Nepali Act, 2007. It defines an NRN in two ways: a foreign citizen who has Nepali origins, or a Nepali citizen who has lived abroad for more than two years. Under this law, NRNs can apply for an NRN Identity Card (NRN ID), which officially recognizes them in Nepal. The NRN Act gives several important rights, such as the right to own property in Nepal, inherit ancestral land, invest in different sectors like industry and hydropower, and use banking services, including opening accounts and sending money easily.
The Constitution of Nepal (2015) also supports these rights. Article 17 says every citizen has the right to vote and take part in public affairs, and Article 18 says the state cannot discriminate against citizens based on where they live. The National Civil Code (2017) adds protections related to family matters and citizenship issues. The Non-Resident Nepali Rules (2009) provide more details on how NRN IDs are issued and how property transactions should be handled. All these laws aim to keep NRNs connected to Nepal. However, until now, the right to vote from abroad has not been properly implemented.
Historical Situation in Nepal So Far
Nepal has promised voting rights to citizens living abroad, but progress has been very slow. The Constitution of 2015 says all citizens have the right to vote, yet there were no systems in place for people living outside the country. As more Nepalese began working in the Gulf, India, and other countries in the 1990s and early 2000s, groups like the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) started demanding the right to vote from abroad. A major moment came in March 2018 when the Supreme Court ordered the government to allow NRNs to vote. The court said that excluding Nepalese abroad violated their constitutional rights and international laws like the ICCPR. It told the government to change four key laws and create a system for overseas voting within two years.
However, nothing meaningful happened. In the 2017 and 2022 elections, NRNs still had to travel back to Nepal to vote, so very few participated, less than 5%. The government said the costs were too high, postal voting was risky, and verifying voters abroad was difficult. By mid-2025, only about 600,000 NRNs were registered at Nepali embassies, even though millions live abroad. International organizations like IDEA have criticized Nepal for being one of the few South Asian countries without proper overseas voting.
Impact of the 2025 Youth Protests
The situation changed after the youth-led protests in September 2025. The protests began on 8 September, mainly against corruption, unemployment, and social media restrictions. Soon, people also demanded electoral reforms, including the right for NRNs to vote. Both protesters in Nepal and Nepalese abroad used hashtags like #NRNkoMatdan to raise awareness.
The Gen-Z protests against corruption grew so large that Prime Minister K.P. Sharma Oli resigned, and the government announced early elections for March 2026. This pressure forced the authorities to act. In October 2025, the Supreme Court reopened its old case against the government for failing to implement overseas voting. The NRNA and youth groups continued their campaign, pushing leaders to finally take responsibility and move forward with reforms.
Government Preparations for the March 2026 Elections
As of December 2025, the interim government and the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) are working seriously to include Non-Resident Nepalese (NRNs) in the 2026 national elections. On 18 November, the Cabinet approved a draft law called the Non-Resident Nepali Voting Bill, which will soon be taken to parliament. The government also started talking to experts and other groups in early November. On 24 November, Energy Minister Kul Man Ghising said that the government is “serious” about giving voting rights to Nepalese living abroad. The plan has a few important parts. Nepalese aged 18 or older who live abroad and have a valid citizenship certificate will be allowed to vote. NRNs with an NRN ID will get faster registration. Registration will be open from 1 January to 15 February 2026. People can register at Nepali embassies, consulates, or through a new online portal linked to the NRN system.
Nepal will use a mixed voting system. In 42 countries such as those in Europe, North America, Australia, Japan, and South Korea, people will vote through postal ballots. In countries with many Nepali workers, like those in the Gulf, India, and Malaysia, voting will happen in person at Nepali missions. Proxy voting will be allowed only in medical emergencies, and only with proper documents. The timeline is strict. Ballots will be sent out by 10 February 2026. All votes must reach Kathmandu by 28 February, and counting will take place on 6 March. The government has set aside NPR 5.2 billion for this plan, which also includes awareness programs. The ECN has created an External Voting Taskforce and has already made initial agreements with 15 host countries to use their locations for voting.
The government is not introducing online voting yet. A study in November suggested using block chain-based e-voting, but this has been postponed until 2031 because the technology is not ready. For now, the ECN hopes to receive around 800,000 to 1 million votes from abroad, which would be about 15–20% turnout. To increase participation, voter registration was extended by five days in November.
Global Overview: How Other Countries Allow Their Citizens Abroad to Vote
Around 141 countries now allow their citizens living abroad to vote. In the 1990s, fewer than 50 countries had this system. This shows that more countries want to include their diaspora as migration increases. Different countries use different methods to ensure secure and accessible voting.
India allows only diplomats and members of the armed forces abroad to vote. They use postal ballots, and turnout is low, but the system focuses on preventing fraud. Nepal has looked at this model for workers in the Gulf. The Philippines gives full voting rights to its 10 million overseas workers. They can vote by mail or at embassies, and they can register online. Turnout is very high, and the country even has six seats in parliament for its diaspora.
France allows 1.5 million citizens abroad to vote by post, proxy, or in person. France also has 11 overseas constituencies that elect their own members of parliament. Estonia is known for its advanced digital voting system. Since 2005, citizens abroad have been able to vote online using a digital ID. About 44% of overseas votes are now electronic. The United States lets its 4.4 million overseas citizens vote by mail, email, fax, or online, depending on state rules. Military voters have especially high turnout.
International IDEA recommends combining postal and in-person voting to reduce difficulties while keeping the process secure. Only a few countries reserve special seats for their diaspora, but many sign agreements with host countries to make voting easier.
Remaining Challenges
Even with good progress, Nepal still faces several challenges. Only around 15% of NRNs register at embassies, and many migrant workers do not have the necessary documents. Postal services in some regions, especially the Gulf, are slow and may cause delays. The three-month preparation time is also very tight. Nepal will need strong awareness campaigns to reach the turnout it hopes for.
Outlook
If the 2026 elections go well, it will be a historic moment for Nepal. It will align Nepal with global democratic practices and finally follow the Supreme Court’s 2018 order to give NRNs voting rights. It may also open the path to online voting and possibly even reserved seats for the diaspora in the future. Most importantly, it will strengthen Nepal’s connection with the millions of Nepali citizens who live and work abroad and contribute heavily to the country.