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In a long-awaited move to fulfil a constitutional right denied to millions of citizens overseas,the government is finally taking steps to allow Nepalis living abroad to vote in national elections.

To this end, the government is preparing to issue an ordinance. The Ministry of Home Affairs has already drafted amendments to several election laws to create a legal basis for overseas voting. The draft has been sent to the Election Commission (EC) for review. 

For now, the government plans to allow overseas voting only under the proportional representation (PR) system for the House of Representatives.

In 2018, the Supreme Court had directed the government to guarantee voting rights for Nepalis living abroad. In its verdict, a bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Purushottam Bhandari instructed the state to make the necessary legal, logistical, and technological arrangements to enable voting from abroad.

That order, however, remained unimplemented. Despite multiple elections since, millions of Nepalis working, studying or residing overseas have been unable to exercise their democratic right. According to the 2021 census, nearly 2.2m Nepalis live abroad.

Election officials say they are discussing all possible models of election, including early voting, polling at diplomatic missions and online voting. 

Earlier, the Election Commission had proposed piloting voter registration in the UAE, Qatar and Malaysia, where the largest numbers of Nepali migrant workers live and work.

With the House of Representatives dissolved, the government plans to move ahead through an ordinance. Once the Election Commission submits its feedback, the Ministry of Home Affairs will forward the draft to the Council of Ministers for approval.

The proposed amendment stipulates that only Nepalis registered in the official voter list will be eligible to vote. The Election Commission will gather and confirm this data with the help of Nepali embassies and other agencies abroad.

To guide implementation, the government has asked the Policy Research Institute, a state-affiliated think tank, to conduct a study on the logistics of overseas voting, including eligible countries, management systems and vote counting mechanisms.

The home ministry also aims to address concerns that people with dual citizenship might misuse the process. The revised draft clarifies that only verified Nepali citizens listed in the Election Commission’s official voter roll will be allowed to vote from abroad.

The right to vote is guaranteed under Article 84(5) of the Constitution, which ensures every Nepali citizen aged 18 and above the right to vote in accordance with federal law. Yet without the necessary legislation, that right has remained on paper for millions working overseas.The government’s latest move has rekindled cautious optimism among migrant workers.

If all goes as planned, the next elections could mark a historic moment when Nepalis abroad finally cast their votes for home.

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 900 per tola in the domestic market on Tuesday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 237, 000 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 239, 900 per tola on Monday.

Similarly, the silver is being traded at Rs 2, 920 per tola.

This year's Chhath festival concluded today by offering Argha to the rising sun this morning. The four-day festival that began last Saturday was celebrated with main puja last evening and concluded today by offering Argha to the rising sun.

This festival concluded with much fanfare by offering curd (Argha) to the rising sun in the rivers and ponds across the country including the districts of Kathmandu.

Chhath was marked in a grand manner in the districts of Mahottari, Dhanusha, Siraha and Saptari in Mithila and others. The festival was celebrated with rituals on the banks of ponds, lakes and rivulets. The feature of the festival is to increase human being's interest in the truth and non-violence and encourage them to remain sympathetic to all living creatures.

The rising and setting suns are worshipped with devotion in the festival which is considered an attractive system of prayers to the Sun God.

There was a crowd of devotees and enthusiasts on the banks of ponds, rivers, rivulets and lakes in the festival. Chhath is a festival of goodwill, faith, and social harmony as people from all backgrounds come together in a common place to offer worship to the Sun God. It is widely believed that appeasing the Sun God brings happiness, prosperity, well-being, and longevity to family members.

The devotees observed fasting the whole day and performed puja for their ancestral deities to welcome the goddess of Sashti. Devotees consume fruits just one time on the second day of Chhath festival. There is a tradition of offering Argha to the setting sun and worshipping it in the evening by observing fast on Kartik Shukla Sasthi -- the main day of the festival.

On this day, devotees observe fasting and even do not drink water. There is a religious belief that no one will suffer from skin disease if Argha is offered by worshipping the sun ritually.

Nepal has incurred a trade deficit of about Rs 400bn in the first three months of the current fiscal year 2025/26. According to the foreign trade statistics released by the Customs Department, imports stood at Rs 46bn, while exports amounted to Rs 72.78bn during this period.

This resulted in a trade deficit of Rs 395bn out of a total foreign trade volume of Rs 540bn by October. In the last three months, imports from neighboring India amounted to Rs 258bn and exports amounted to Rs 59bn, resulting in a deficit of Rs 199bn.

Similarly, the trade deficit with China was Rs 14.7bn by October. Imports from China were valued at Rs 14.8bn and exports at only Rs 186m. 

Nepal recorded the highest trade surplus with Denmark, with imports worth just Rs 4m and exports standing at Rs 289m, resulting in a trade gain of Rs 249.8m. Trade surpluses were also recorded with countries like Germany, Romania, Sweden, and Lebanon. 

Among imports, petroleum products topped the list in the last three months. Nepal imported worth Rs 16.78bn, diesel worth Rs 20.69bn, and LP gas worth Rs 13.98bn during this period. Additionally, smartphones worth Rs 13.62bn were imported.

India and ASEAN nations strengthened their bond at the 22nd ASEAN-India Summit on Sunday in Kuala Lumpur. Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted key areas for collaboration—counter—terrorism, early review of the ASEAN-India FTA, maritime security, among others.

The Prime Minister stated that terrorism poses a serious challenge to global peace and security and stressed the importance of unity in the fight against it, according to the Ministry of External Affairs press release.

PM Modi participated virtually in the Summit. The Prime Minister and ASEAN leaders jointly reviewed progress in ASEAN-India relations and discussed initiatives to strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This was the Prime Minister’s 12th participation in the India-ASEAN Summit.

Prime Minister Modi Emphasized that early review of the ASEAN-India FTA (AITIGA) can unleash the full economic potential of our relationship for the benefit of our peoples and further strengthen regional cooperation. (ANI)

The price of gold has dropped by Rs 2, 000 per tola in the domestic market on Monday.

According to the Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers’ Association, the yellow metal is being traded at Rs 239, 900 per tola today. It was traded at Rs 241, 900 per tola on Sunday.

Similarly, the price of silver has dropped by Rs 35 and is being traded at Rs 2, 980 per tola.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, Coordinator of the CPN (Maoist Center) general convention organizing committee, has highlighted the importance of enhancing mutual respect, social harmony, and cooperation among progressive forces.

On the occasion of Chhath, a significant festival of public faith, social unity, and gratitude towards nature, he conveyed his greetings to all Nepali brothers and sisters both at home and abroad, stating, 'I believe that by fostering mutual respect, social harmony, and cooperation among progressive forces, we can collectively advance towards creating a prosperous, just, and socialist Nepal.'

In the current challenging political, economic, and social landscape, the message of self-confidence, patience, and optimism that Chhath embodies has become increasingly vital, he remarked.

The former Prime Minister added, “May the Chhath festival illuminate the darkness within nature and humanity, bringing forth light, purity, and positive energy in everyone. I earnestly wish for a new era of peace, prosperity, and stability in the nation.”

Celebrated as the principal festival of Madhesh-Terai, Chhath is intricately linked with our culture, traditions, labor relations, and everyday life. It enhances the bond between humans and nature, promoting awareness of coexistence, balance, and self-purification.

Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Devraj Ghimire has highlighted the urgent need to turn the country's challenging situation, which arose following the Gen Z movement, into peace and stability as quickly as possible.

On the occasion of Chhath Festival 2082 BS, Speaker Ghimire shared a message of best wishes today, stating, “In the wake of the movement led by the younger generation, it is essential for the government, political parties, youth, civil society, and the citizens of Nepal to collaborate in transforming the current unrest into peace and stability. It is crucial for all of us to collectively commit to addressing the youth's demands for an end to corruption and the establishment of good governance.”

He conveyed his warm wishes to all Nepali brothers and sisters, both in home and abroad, expressing hope that this festival will help eliminate social, caste, and gender inequalities, thereby further enhancing national unity.

He remarked, 'I genuinely hope that the worship of the Sun God and the blessings of Mother Chhathi will motivate us all to safeguard our constitutional achievements and progress towards creating a prosperous, inclusive, and well-governed Nepal.'