For 16-year-old Nepali individuals, turning sixteen meant getting a national ID card. But until now, it didn’t mean much when it came to voting. That changed this week. Nepal’s President, Ram Chandra Paudel, has issued an ordinance to amend the Voter Roll Act, 2016. This allows young citizens who recently reached voting age to be added to the electoral list.
The move comes after the interim government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, announced elections for March 5 next year. Earlier rules had blocked voter registration once an election date was declared. Section 4(2)(2) of the Voter List Act prevented citizens who turned eligible after the announcement from registering, leaving many young people sidelined from participating in elections.
The President’s Secretariat confirmed that the ordinance was issued under Article 114(1) of the Constitution, following a recommendation from the Council of Ministers. With the amendment, eligible citizens who recently received their citizenship certificates can now register and have their details updated in the voter list.
According to the Election Commission’s schedule, voter registration for those previously left out will reopen and continue until November 16. This gives all eligible citizens, including those who have just turned 16, a chance to ensure their names are on the list before the upcoming House of Representatives election.
Also Read: Nepal announces Rs 1.5mn relief for Gen Z protest martyrs amid historic political shift
The registration process is designed to be accessible. Citizens can register at provincial and district election offices from 8 am to 6 pm on all working days. Those who cannot register in person can also use the pre-registration system online.
The system allows applicants to provide their biometric information in advance, making the process smoother when they visit election offices.
The Election Commission has also made it possible for citizens who have changed residence or moved elsewhere due to marriage or other reasons to update their voter details. Errors in existing voter records, such as mistakes in name or personal information, can also be corrected during this period.
Now there is a confusion where 16-year-olds ask if they are really eligible to vote. Here is the catch. While only those who will be 18 by the day of the election can cast their votes. Younger citizens who turn 16 now can at least get their names added to the voter list and be ready for future elections.
Nepal’s Constitution guarantees that citizens aged 18 and above have the right to vote. This amendment bridges the gap for young voters. And, for 16-year-olds, it is an opportunity to be part of the democratic process from the start. Summing up, they can’t cast vote in the upcoming polls.