The Election Commission has suggested a number of measures, including incorporation of the right to reject in the ballot paper, to make elections free, fair, transparent and reflective of the public pulse. A meeting of the EC held on Monday decided to forward a draft Bill to amend and consolidate laws relating to elections to the Parliament through the Ministry of Home Affairs. The draft has suggested including in the ballot paper an option—None of the Above (NOTA)—that will enable the voter to reject all of the candidates if they so wish. This recommendation is in keeping with a 2014 Supreme Court ruling that had directed the government to change electoral laws to give voters the option to reject all candidates if they so wish.

If NOTA votes exceed 50 percent of total valid votes cast in any election, such election shall be canceled, the EC has proposed.

This is not the only measure that the EC has suggested. It has proposed making a law barring an individual from serving as a member of parliament for more than two terms under the proportional representation system. The EC has also recommended that arrangements be made to enable Nepali voters based abroad to vote for elections for the House of Representatives under the PR system in coordination with diplomatic missions. It has suggested the government to collect the voters’ list abroad by mobilizing these missions. For the first-past-the-post system of elections for the House of Representatives and Provincial Assemblies, the EC has suggested that at least 33 percent candidates be female. It has proposed giving candidates from Dalit communities, women, economically disadvantaged or gender and sexual minorities, minority communities and persons with specific disabilities 50 percent discount on the bond amount. At local-level polls, EC has suggested using two separate ballot papers for positions like chair and vice chair as well as mayor and deputy mayor. A member of a party shall not be made a candidate on behalf of another political party without quitting the position, the bill states, adding: Candidates should spend money through bank accounts mentioned in their respective nomination papers. The EC said the draft has incorporated provisions in seven election laws as well as inputs from experts and stakeholders. Shaligram Sharma Paudel, spokesperson at the EC, said in a press release that the Commission has proposed new provisions on compilation of the voters list and the eligibility of candidates, among other issues. These suggestions came during discussions and interactions with stakeholders held at all seven provinces and the Center during drafting of the Bill, the commission said, adding that the Council of Ministers had given its theoretical consent for discussions and interactions on the matter on 29 Dec 2021. Countries like India, Spain, Pakistan and Bangladesh have embraced NOTA.