Nepal's Youth Get a Hard-Won Victory as Voting Law Is Changed

In a move that directly addresses a major concern of the country's youth, Nepal's President Ram Chandra Paudel has issued an ordinance to amend the Voter List Act. This crucial change will now allow new voters to register, even after an election has been announced, ensuring that the very generation that recently pushed for political change will have a voice at the ballot box.The decision comes after a period of significant upheaval, where widespread protests led by "Gen Z" against corruption and poor governance resulted in a new interim government That new government, led by Prime Minister Sushila Karki, subsequently called for parliamentary elections on March 5, 2026.This created an ironic and frustrating roadblock for thousands of young people. Under the previous law, specifically Section 4(2)(2) of the Voter List Act, all voter registration was halted the moment an election date was announced.This meant that any young person who turned 18 after the announcement—including many who were at the forefront of the recent protests—would have been barred from registering and, therefore, unable to vote in the upcoming election.Recognizing that this would effectively disenfranchise the movement that brought them to power, the new government recommended the change. The ordinance issued by the President removes this restrictive clause.Now, the Election Commission will be able to set a specific time frame for citizens to register, ensuring all eligible individuals, especially newly 18-year-olds, can be added to the voter list.This amendment is being widely seen as a significant victory for Nepal's youth, who make up over half of the country's registered voters. It guarantees that the generation demanding a more accountable and transparent government will now have the formal power to help shape the nation's future.