Online Voting System Nepal
9th October 2025, Kathmandu
The key request from the Minister centered on obtaining online voting system Nepal support from the global development body.
Online Voting System Nepal
In a forward-looking move, Minister for Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure and Transport, and Urban Development, Kulman Ghising, met with a delegation led by Kyoko Yokosuka, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Nepal.
This technical assistance will help enable Nepalis working abroad to participate in national elections, a long-standing demand for the diaspora.
The meeting, which took place at the Ministry of Urban Development, also covered critical areas like climate finance, energy transition, and the status of current development projects.
Digital Democracy: A Push for Online Voting
The government is actively preparing the groundwork to allow non-resident Nepalis to vote. Minister Ghising stressed the urgency of this initiative.
He formally requested UNDP’s technical support to introduce robust, secure, and verifiable online voting systems. Nepal aims to adopt best practices from other countries already utilizing digital platforms for their elections.
UNDP’s extensive experience in supporting democratic governance and electoral processes worldwide makes it a key partner for this digital transformation.
Implementing an online voting platform requires significant planning, security infrastructure, and capacity building, all areas where UNDP can provide crucial expertise and resources.
This move aims to expand political franchise and use technology to enhance democratic participation.
Battling Climate Change and Fossil Fuel Dependence
Beyond electoral reform, Minister Ghising and the UNDP team conducted detailed discussions on Nepal’s environmental and energy challenges. The Minister outlined several key areas where he actively sought UNDP’s cooperation.
Nepal remains highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Ghising called for UNDP’s continued cooperation in several vital areas:
- Mitigating Climate Change Impacts: Nepal must build resilience against unpredictable weather patterns and environmental shifts.
- Glacial Lake Risk Study: The government needs comprehensive research on glacial lakes at high risk of bursting to proactively protect downstream communities.
- Early Warning Systems: The development and deployment of robust disaster early-warning and preparedness systems are paramount.
The UNDP representatives assured the Minister of their commitment to facilitating financial assistance for Nepal through the Climate Fund and other mechanisms.
This external funding is critical for Nepal to finance its ambitious climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
A major focus of the discussion was Nepal’s strategic shift from fossil fuels to clean electric energy. This transition is seen as vital for reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality.
Ghising outlined a strategy for this energy transition:
- Vehicle and Household Electrification: The government will actively replace traditional household energy use and fossil-fuel-based vehicles with electricity. This strategy leverages Nepal’s huge hydropower potential.
- Industrial Electrification: The Minister emphasized promoting the use of electric energy in high-consuming industries.
- Brick Kiln Decarbonization: A specific and high-impact target is reducing carbon emissions by replacing the coal currently used in brick kilns with electricity, an initiative that would drastically cut down on local pollution.
This comprehensive approach targets both the transport and industrial sectors, aiming to utilize Nepal’s surplus clean hydropower for both economic development and environmental protection.
Economic Development and Employment Generation
Minister Ghising also emphasized the connection between energy access, local industry, and employment. He requested UNDP’s support in creating job opportunities in rural areas.
This will be achieved through the development of small and medium-scale industries that can operate efficiently using clean, affordable electricity.
By focusing on decentralized energy solutions, the government plans to stimulate local economies and discourage mass migration for employment.
Conclusion: A Collaborative Roadmap
The courtesy meeting effectively established a collaborative roadmap between the Ministry and UNDP. With the UNDP delegation assuring cooperation on elections, energy, and climate finance, the government secures a vital partner for its strategic priorities.
From achieving online voting system Nepal support to mobilizing climate finance and implementing nationwide electrification, these joint efforts signify a major investment in Nepal’s future, focusing on technological modernization, climate resilience, and sustainable economic growth.
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