The Supreme Court has directed the government to ensure voting rights for the Nepali citizens living in foreign countries.

A division bench of Justices Sapana Malla Pradhan and Purushottam Bhandari issued the directive in the name of government to ensure voting rights to Nepalis living outside the country.

Law, Police and Regulation Forum had filed a writ at the Supreme Court stating that those Nepali’s living abroad should not be deprived of voting rights.

Saying that the voting rights of Nepali diaspora living in various parts of the world should be guaranteed, the Forum has made Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Parliament, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Election Commission defendants.

Various organisations associated with Non-Resident Nepalis (NRNs) have been demanding the government grant voting rights to eligible voters living abroad.