If an astronaut can vote from the space, why can’t a Nepali vote from abroad?
February 18, 2026
min read
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” -Abraham Lincoln.
Astronauts Don Pettit, Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and Nick Hague cast their votes for the U.S. election from the International Space Station (ISS) on November 5, 2024.
“It’s a very important role that we play as citizens, including those elections, and NASA makes it very easy for us to do that,” said Butch Wilmore, one of the voters from ISS.
American astronauts have been voting from space since 1997. That year, the Texas legislature passed a bill allowing NASA employees to vote from space. The New York Post reported that NASA astronaut David Wolf became the first American to vote from space on the Mir Space Station. In 2020, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins also fulfilled her civic duty from space on the ISS.
Nearly 3 million U.S. citizens living abroad can vote absentee under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. This act requires states to allow military members, their eligible family members, and citizens living overseas to vote absentee in federal elections.
By democracy we mean that the power belongs to citizens, not rulers. Elections let citizens choose leaders, exercise rights, and hold governments accountable. More than casting a vote, elections represent the community's authority to decide who governs them and how laws are made. These ballots transform into a political legitimacy.
The current Nepali election law provides limited voting options for those overseas, mainly for diplomatic personnel and specific groups of citizens abroad. Broader voting for the diaspora is still being considered.
According to the Election Commission of Nepal, 1,89,03,689 voters turned 18 by March 4, 2026. About 27 percent of the country’s total voters live abroad, meaning around five million Nepalis overseas lack voting rights, despite their significant contribution to the nation’s economy. Remittances from migrant workers account for nearly 26-28% of Nepal’s GDP. Yet, these citizens who spend years abroad to support their families and the country are left out of the democratic process and legal rights at home.
This contradiction shows that Nepal needs electoral reforms to recognize the voices of the diaspora. I believe all Nepalis should have the right to vote in the upcoming election, as those supporting the economy should also help shape the nation’s political future.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court issued a mandamus order to the government to guarantee voting rights for all Nepali citizens living abroad for work or education. The court stated these rights must be implemented starting with the upcoming elections.
The directive was issued on March 21, 2018, by a joint bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Purushottam Bhandari, which instructed the government, the Parliament, and the Election Commission to make the necessary arrangements. This ruling followed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Prem Chandra Rai on behalf of the Rules and Regulations Forum for Social Justice. The Court directed the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Parliament Secretariat, several ministries, and the Election Commission to act on making overseas voting a reality.
Around 141 countries worldwide allow some form of voting rights for citizens living abroad. Among them, 95 countries grant these rights broadly, and another 46 do so in limited ways. Nepal is one of 55 countries that do not ensure overseas voting rights or facilities.
The Sushila Karki-led interim government began discussions on an ordinance to amend election laws for diaspora voting rights after the Supreme Court directive in 2018. The Policy Research Institute was tasked with studying international practices and proposing mechanisms. The Election Commission expressed support for diaspora voting under proportional representation through diplomatic missions.
The main challenges involve logistics, diplomacy, timing, and financial constraints. Registering millions of migrants abroad, ensuring secure ballot handling, and coordinating with host countries, many of which do not hold elections themselves, requires extensive preparation. According to the Election Commission, a minimum of two years of groundwork is necessary, covering voter list enrollment and agreements with foreign governments. Diplomatic obstacles are particularly high in Gulf nations where Nepalis comprise large populations and where infrastructure for voting is limited.
On December 2, former member of the legislative assembly Sumana Shrestha claimed through a Facebook post that the acting Chief Commissioner of the Election Commission, Ram Prasad Bhandari, informed the government that, due to a lack of time and inability to secure party agreement, it is not feasible to arrange voting for Nepalis living abroad or inter-constituency voting. She stated that the Election Commission had years to prepare and does not need the permission of political parties to fulfill its constitutional duties.
Sumana Shrestha also accused Ram Prasad Bhandari of weak leadership by sticking to outdated election practices instead of improving the system. She argues that the commission's failure to arrange overseas voting and take timely action shows irresponsibility and a reluctance to implement necessary changes.
Here are some possible and practical solutions for allowing Nepali citizens abroad to vote:
1. Postal (Mail-in) Voting for Migrant Workers
Nepal can set up a secure postal voting system where the Election Commission sends ballots to Nepali embassies abroad. Voters complete their ballots, and the embassy sends them all back to Nepal together through diplomatic mail. Many countries, like the United States, Germany, and Canada, have similar systems.
2. In-Person Voting at Nepali Embassies
Nepali embassies and consulates can be set up as overseas polling centers, just like in the Philippines and South Korea. Voters living abroad could cast their ballots one or two weeks before Election Day. Nepal has embassies in almost every major country where its migrant workers reside, covering about 95% of them. These embassies already handle passports and citizenship tasks, so adding voting stations would be easy.
3. Online (E-Voting) for Secure Registered Voters
Nepal could create an online voting option for people living abroad using passport verification, NRN cards, one-time biometric or face verification, and secure platforms. Estonia uses safe internet voting, which works well for skilled migrants from Japan or Korea.
4. Mobile Voting Booths in Labour Destination Countries
Special voting booths could be set up in countries like Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and others. They can be placed in labor camps, Nepali community centers, and large Nepali employer sites. Similar practices worked well for Filipino and Bangladeshi migrants. This would help those unable to reach embassies due to travel limitations.
5. Absentee Voting from Within Nepal (for those about to leave)
Before going overseas, people can cast their ballots at the airport counter or local district office. This is similar to early voting in some areas.
6. Partnering With IOM to Facilitate Migrant Votes
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has experience supporting migrant voting. Nepal can use IOM offices to register voters abroad and collect ballots, ensuring fair systems.
The continued exclusion of Nepali citizens residing abroad contradicts democratic principles, constitutional rights, and judicial directives. Although challenges exist, the implementation of overseas voting remains both necessary and achievable. Timely measures, including embassy-based voting or postal ballots administered by diplomatic missions, would safeguard the diaspora’s voting rights and fulfil the Supreme Court’s mandate.
“It’s a very important role that we play as citizens, including those elections, and NASA makes it very easy for us to do that,” said Butch Wilmore, one of the voters from ISS.
American astronauts have been voting from space since 1997. That year, the Texas legislature passed a bill allowing NASA employees to vote from space. The New York Post reported that NASA astronaut David Wolf became the first American to vote from space on the Mir Space Station. In 2020, NASA astronaut Kate Rubins also fulfilled her civic duty from space on the ISS.
Nearly 3 million U.S. citizens living abroad can vote absentee under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986. This act requires states to allow military members, their eligible family members, and citizens living overseas to vote absentee in federal elections.
By democracy we mean that the power belongs to citizens, not rulers. Elections let citizens choose leaders, exercise rights, and hold governments accountable. More than casting a vote, elections represent the community's authority to decide who governs them and how laws are made. These ballots transform into a political legitimacy.
The current Nepali election law provides limited voting options for those overseas, mainly for diplomatic personnel and specific groups of citizens abroad. Broader voting for the diaspora is still being considered.
According to the Election Commission of Nepal, 1,89,03,689 voters turned 18 by March 4, 2026. About 27 percent of the country’s total voters live abroad, meaning around five million Nepalis overseas lack voting rights, despite their significant contribution to the nation’s economy. Remittances from migrant workers account for nearly 26-28% of Nepal’s GDP. Yet, these citizens who spend years abroad to support their families and the country are left out of the democratic process and legal rights at home.
This contradiction shows that Nepal needs electoral reforms to recognize the voices of the diaspora. I believe all Nepalis should have the right to vote in the upcoming election, as those supporting the economy should also help shape the nation’s political future.
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court issued a mandamus order to the government to guarantee voting rights for all Nepali citizens living abroad for work or education. The court stated these rights must be implemented starting with the upcoming elections.
The directive was issued on March 21, 2018, by a joint bench of Justices Sapana Pradhan Malla and Purushottam Bhandari, which instructed the government, the Parliament, and the Election Commission to make the necessary arrangements. This ruling followed a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Prem Chandra Rai on behalf of the Rules and Regulations Forum for Social Justice. The Court directed the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, Parliament Secretariat, several ministries, and the Election Commission to act on making overseas voting a reality.
Around 141 countries worldwide allow some form of voting rights for citizens living abroad. Among them, 95 countries grant these rights broadly, and another 46 do so in limited ways. Nepal is one of 55 countries that do not ensure overseas voting rights or facilities.
The Sushila Karki-led interim government began discussions on an ordinance to amend election laws for diaspora voting rights after the Supreme Court directive in 2018. The Policy Research Institute was tasked with studying international practices and proposing mechanisms. The Election Commission expressed support for diaspora voting under proportional representation through diplomatic missions.
The main challenges involve logistics, diplomacy, timing, and financial constraints. Registering millions of migrants abroad, ensuring secure ballot handling, and coordinating with host countries, many of which do not hold elections themselves, requires extensive preparation. According to the Election Commission, a minimum of two years of groundwork is necessary, covering voter list enrollment and agreements with foreign governments. Diplomatic obstacles are particularly high in Gulf nations where Nepalis comprise large populations and where infrastructure for voting is limited.
On December 2, former member of the legislative assembly Sumana Shrestha claimed through a Facebook post that the acting Chief Commissioner of the Election Commission, Ram Prasad Bhandari, informed the government that, due to a lack of time and inability to secure party agreement, it is not feasible to arrange voting for Nepalis living abroad or inter-constituency voting. She stated that the Election Commission had years to prepare and does not need the permission of political parties to fulfill its constitutional duties.
Sumana Shrestha also accused Ram Prasad Bhandari of weak leadership by sticking to outdated election practices instead of improving the system. She argues that the commission's failure to arrange overseas voting and take timely action shows irresponsibility and a reluctance to implement necessary changes.
Here are some possible and practical solutions for allowing Nepali citizens abroad to vote:
1. Postal (Mail-in) Voting for Migrant Workers
Nepal can set up a secure postal voting system where the Election Commission sends ballots to Nepali embassies abroad. Voters complete their ballots, and the embassy sends them all back to Nepal together through diplomatic mail. Many countries, like the United States, Germany, and Canada, have similar systems.
2. In-Person Voting at Nepali Embassies
Nepali embassies and consulates can be set up as overseas polling centers, just like in the Philippines and South Korea. Voters living abroad could cast their ballots one or two weeks before Election Day. Nepal has embassies in almost every major country where its migrant workers reside, covering about 95% of them. These embassies already handle passports and citizenship tasks, so adding voting stations would be easy.
3. Online (E-Voting) for Secure Registered Voters
Nepal could create an online voting option for people living abroad using passport verification, NRN cards, one-time biometric or face verification, and secure platforms. Estonia uses safe internet voting, which works well for skilled migrants from Japan or Korea.
4. Mobile Voting Booths in Labour Destination Countries
Special voting booths could be set up in countries like Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, and others. They can be placed in labor camps, Nepali community centers, and large Nepali employer sites. Similar practices worked well for Filipino and Bangladeshi migrants. This would help those unable to reach embassies due to travel limitations.
5. Absentee Voting from Within Nepal (for those about to leave)
Before going overseas, people can cast their ballots at the airport counter or local district office. This is similar to early voting in some areas.
6. Partnering With IOM to Facilitate Migrant Votes
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has experience supporting migrant voting. Nepal can use IOM offices to register voters abroad and collect ballots, ensuring fair systems.
The continued exclusion of Nepali citizens residing abroad contradicts democratic principles, constitutional rights, and judicial directives. Although challenges exist, the implementation of overseas voting remains both necessary and achievable. Timely measures, including embassy-based voting or postal ballots administered by diplomatic missions, would safeguard the diaspora’s voting rights and fulfil the Supreme Court’s mandate.
About the Authors
Chand Kumar Chaurasiya
I am BALLB student at National Law College, with a keen interest in constitutional law and social justice. My academic interests lie in legal research, rights-based advocacy, and transformative legal reform aimed at empowering marginalized communities.
View all posts by Chand Kumar Chaurasiya