Kathmandu. Minister for Energy, Water Resources, Physical Planning, Transport and Urban Development Kul Man Ghising has said that the government was seriously forwarding the campaign to provide voting rights to Nepali citizens living in foreign countries.

Addressing a webinar organized by the Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) Citizenship and Voting Rights Committee here today, Minister Ghising shared that the government was forwarding the necessary legal and technical process.

Minister Ghising said that the Ministry of Home Affairs is doing homework on two important issues – NRN citizenship and voting rights from foreign land. “The government is working to issue an ordinance for the implementation of the voting rights of Nepali citizens living abroad,” he said, adding that discussions were being held with the Election Commission. We have come to the Election Commission regarding lack of time, but we are adamant that Nepalis living abroad should be able to vote at any cost. ’

He also talked about the challenges related to security of Nepalis in the Gulf countries and collaboration with the governments there. “It is the Nepalis living abroad who show patriotism. Therefore, I have expressed my views to the President for the implementation of this right,” he said.

Regarding the continuity of Nepali citizenship for the descendants of the British Gurkhas, Minister Ghising recalled that he had categorically supported this demand in London. “Continuation of citizenship by descent benefits the country, not a loss. Investment increases. The government should take it seriously,” he said. However, the issue of dual citizenship could only be addressed by the elected parliament, he said. Minister Ghising also said that the government is committed to bringing skills, resources and investment of Non-Resident Nepalis to the country.

Non-Resident Nepali Association (NRNA) ICC President Mahesh Kumar Shrestha said there should be no further delay in providing voting rights to the Nepalis living abroad. “If not this time, it should be implemented next time. We have to start with a pilot project,” he said. He also stressed the need of forwarding the formulation of regulations to resolve NRN citizenship and the problems related to it. “Many problems would be solved if the NRN Act could be amended,” he said.

On the occasion, former President of NRNA, Kul Acharya, said he was the first person to acquire the non-resident Nepali citizenship and it has not been implemented even after more than two years of acquiring the citizenship.