What is changing
The recently endorsed amendment to the voter list law is intended to clarify procedures for registration, correction and removal of names, in line with earlier court decisions and technological upgrades. While technical details are still being explained to local election offices, the broad aim is to reduce litigation and last-minute protests over alleged irregularities in rolls.
Implementation challenges
Local election offices must now process pending applications, address complaints and reconcile data with national citizenship and civil registration databases where possible. In rural and marginalised communities, gaps in documentation and digital access still pose barriers, meaning outreach and mobile registration camps remain critical tools.
Why it matters for 2026
If disputes over voter lists are not handled transparently and on time, they can become flashpoints for street protests and calls to delay the vote. Clearer rules, combined with timely communication in both Nepali and local languages, will be key to ensuring that eligible citizens are neither wrongly excluded nor counted twice.