Electronic Voting Possible At Low Cost If Political Parties Agree: Communications Minister Kharel
पुस ६, २०८२ १३:५८
Kathmandu: Minister for Communications and Information Technology Jagadish Kharel has said that electronic voting is possible in the upcoming elections scheduled for 5 March, 2026. Minister Kharel made the statement while inaugurating the CAN BTU Summit organized in Lalitpur on Saturday.
Emphasizing the need to modernize the electoral system through the maximum use of technology, he said electronic voting can be implemented at a low cost in the upcoming elections if political parties reach a national consensus. The two-day summit has begun at The Plaza, Pulchowk, organized by the Computer Association of Nepal Federation with the aim of strengthening Nepal’s information and communication technology sector and improving coordination among businesses.
Speaking at the inauguration, Minister Kharel said it was unfortunate that even in the era of information technology, billions of rupees still have to be spent on printing paper ballots and transporting them securely for days. “There is no alternative to the government becoming technology-friendly to achieve the goal of Digital Nepal,” he said, adding that the demand for a digital path is increasing and the ministry is accelerating policy and structural reforms.
He also clarified that the government is preparing to hold the upcoming House of Representatives election on 5 March and is committed to maintaining good governance in line with the spirit of the Gen-Z movement.
At the program, Chandra Dhakal, President of the Federation of Nepalese Chambers of Commerce and Industry, Kamlesh Agrawal, President of the Nepal Chamber of Commerce, and Birendra Raj Pandey, President of the Confederation of Nepalese Industries, urged the government to create an environment that guarantees investment security and to introduce a clear investment protection policy. They stressed that thousands of employment opportunities could be created in the information technology sector.
Sunaina Ghimire Pandey, President of CAN Federation, expressed confidence that the summit would help bridge the gap between technology and business and make Nepal’s ICT industry future-oriented. CAN Federation General Secretary Chandra Vilas Bhurtel said the main achievement of the summit was bringing together entrepreneurs, dealers, and importers from across the country to expand business opportunities.
On the first day of the summit on Saturday, special discussions were held focusing on the digital transformation of IT businesses and artificial intelligence. Major companies, including Hi-Tech and Tech World Distribution, presented their innovative technologies.
The two-day conference will conclude on Sunday. The second day’s sessions are expected to focus specifically on cyber security and artificial intelligence. More than 100 technical experts and business representatives are participating in the summit.
पछिल्लो अध्यावधिक: पुस ६, २०८२ १३:५८
