Nepal’s Election Commission is moving towards introducing an internet-based electronic voting system in the coming days, Chief Election Commissioner Man Bahadur Karki announced on Tuesday, October 6, 2026. Karki expressed his commitment to this modernization effort during a program focused on internet voting technology and the use of information and communication technology (ICT) in election management.
The Election Commission, Nepal’s constitutional body for elections, organized the presentation, technology demonstration, and interaction program, where Karki highlighted the necessary preparations for implementing such a system. These include technological readiness, institutional capacity building, robust cybersecurity measures, and effective coordination among relevant government agencies.
Election Commissioner Dr. Rajib Subba further elaborated on the complexity of the proposed system. He emphasized the need to map the ICT-related knowledge, skills, human resources, and technical capacity available not only within the Election Commission but also across various government bodies. Dr. Subba noted that the system would be multi-dimensional and involve multiple agencies, requiring the identification of expertise in areas such as digital identity, voter authentication, data exchange, cybersecurity, system development, infrastructure, and operations.
Background and Preparations
The move towards internet voting builds on Nepal’s past experiences with electronic voting machines (EVMs), which were successfully used in elections and by-elections in 2064, 2065, and 2071 BS. Additionally, photo-inclusive voter registration and identity cards have been in use since the Second Constituent Assembly election in 2070 BS, enhancing voter authentication processes.
Chief Election Commissioner Karki and Election Commissioners Dr. Subba and Guru Prasad Wagley were unanimously approved by the Parliamentary Hearing Committee on July 29, 2026, after being recommended by the Constitutional Council on July 3, 2026. They assumed office on July 31, 2026. During his presentation to the Parliamentary Hearing Committee on July 28, 2026, Dr. Subba, an information technology expert and retired Nepal Police DIG, had stressed the need for comprehensive reforms in Nepal’s electoral system. He advocated for improved voter convenience, secure technology use, ensuring absentee and external voting rights, and modernizing election laws.
Following their assumption of office, the Commission’s first meeting prioritized several electoral reform initiatives. These include drafting integrated election management regulations in line with the Integrated Election Management Bill currently under consideration in parliament, preparing a concept paper on the use of modern ICT in elections, and launching special programs to ensure voter lists are accurate, updated, and reliable. Chief Election Commissioner Karki has set a goal to conduct a feasibility study for e-voting and initiate a pilot project.
Challenges and Future Outlook
While a study by the Policy Research Institute indicated that 78 percent of experts believe there is ample potential for electronic voting in Nepal, given the successful use of EVMs in diverse regions including the hills, Madhesh, and valleys, the specific impact of an internet voting system on regions like Madhesh Province and the Terai remains to be fully explored. Government data indicates geographical disparities in internet access across Nepal, with high-speed fixed broadband services predominantly concentrated in urban areas.
Several aspects of the internet voting system are yet to be determined. These include a specific timeline for its implementation, the budget allocation required, the detailed legal framework and necessary amendments, and plans for public acceptance and awareness campaigns. Furthermore, specific measures to ensure cybersecurity and data privacy for internet voting, as well as the current status of the “Integrated Election Management Bill” in parliament, are not yet known.
