Nepal Policy Institute

Nepal: From Moon-Promises to a Nation That Builds

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:35:35 +0000

Executive Summary

As political parties unveil their manifestos, Nepal does not lack promises. It lacks a blueprint for building. Elections have become contests in declaring outcomes—higher incomes, more jobs, faster growth—without specifying the institutional systems required to produce them. Manifestos should answer three disciplined questions: what must be built, what must be fixed, and what must be restrained. Instead, they have functioned as declarations detached from execution. This paper asks political parties not merely to promise prosperity, but to specify what they must build—and what they must stop doing—for prosperity to emerge.

Nepal’s failure to advance living standards and expand everyday opportunity is widespread and structural. It is a failure to build systems that convert national strengths into prosperity. For decades, elections have been dominated by what this paper calls “moon-promises”—pledges not grounded in institutional capability or accountability. Because political actors face few consequences for non-delivery, manifestos have become exercises in exaggeration rather than credible plans.

The economic consequences are stark. Nepal’s per capita income, once comparable to India and China in 1980, has since fallen far behind. Weak job creation has forced millions to seek work abroad, turning migration into the economy’s primary adjustment mechanism rather than a choice. Education has expanded enrollment but failed to produce employable skills. National savings, largely driven by remittances, remain underutilized. Hydropower potential remains unrealized, productivity is among the lowest globally, and corruption continues to erode institutional credibility. The result is an economy that consumes but does not build.

These outcomes reflect deeper institutional failures: low national ambition, misplaced priorities expressed as lip service to economic growth, weak rule of law, and a political system that rewards rhetoric over results. Power remains discretionary rather than rule-bound, discouraging skill formation, productive investment, enterprise growth, and long-term planning. Manifestos, rather than correcting these failures, have often reinforced them by prioritizing promises over systems.

Nepal’s path forward requires rebuilding the “conversion systems” that translate effort into prosperity. This means creating jobs at home by treating workers as national assets; aligning education with employable skills; channeling capital toward productive enterprise; integrating electricity into job-creating sectors; enabling private enterprise under predictable rules; and restoring institutional credibility through enforceable governance. Political actors must also exercise restraint—avoiding promises that bypass institutional reality and committing instead to building systems that make progress reliable.

Ultimately, Nepal’s challenge is not technical but political and moral. Prosperity will not emerge from louder promises but from institutions that constrain power, reward performance, and convert effort into progress. The choice is clear: continue performing hope through promises of moons, or construct prosperity through systems that build. The choice is ours—and the consequences will be ours as well.

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Enhancing Nepal’s Electoral System

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:25:17 +0000

Executive Summary

Nepal’s electoral system faces significant challenges in accommodating its large diaspora estimated at over 2.5 million citizens abroad for employment with accumulated one million undocumented in India and others part of the world, one million as permanent residents, 100,000 for Education and internal migrants, who often cannot return to their home constituencies on Election Day. This report, “Enhancing Nepal’s Electoral System: Alternative Voting System for Nepal,” argues that adopting a hybrid model of Internet Voting (i-Voting) and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) is essential to foster inclusive democracy, boost voter turnout, and align with the Supreme Court’s 2018 directive mandating overseas voting rights. With elections less than five months away, the authors emphasize the urgency of leveraging digital tools over unreliable postal systems, drawing on global best practices to propose feasible, secure reforms tailored to Nepal’s socio-economic context.

Key insights highlight the limitations of traditional voting and the viability of alternatives. Globally, countries like the United States and United Kingdom rely on absentee ballots and early voting with robust security measures such as signature verification and audits, while India restricts absentee options but demonstrates EVM efficacy for large-scale elections. In i-Voting, Mexico’s 2024 system for its 12 million diaspora uses blind signatures and homomorphic encryption for anonymity and integrity; Estonia’s mature platform, with over 50% online votes in 2023, emphasizes PKI and re-voting for coercion resistance; and Pakistan’s NOVS for 9 million expatriates integrates biometric authentication despite scalability issues. For Nepal, the proposed system enables internal migrants to vote via multi-constituency urban EVMs or i-Voting portals, authenticated by e-passports or National IDs, while overseas voters register through embassies or online for remote access. Additional features include a “None of the Above” (NOTA) option to express dissent, real-time voter synchronization to prevent fraud, and partnerships with vendors like Smartmatic for ready-made platforms.

Policy implications are actionable and cost-conscious. Estimated at USD 10-15 million for i-Voting and NPR 64-70 crore for EVMs (60% cheaper than paper ballots long-term), implementation could save billions over cycles. A roadmap outlines establishing a dedicated ECN department by October 2025, infrastructure development by December, awareness campaigns through March 2026, and piloting in March. Challenges like cybersecurity risks, digital divides, and political resistance require international collaborations, legal amendments to the Election Act, and public education. Ultimately, these reforms could empower remitters contributing 33% of GDP, enhance transparency, and set a regional precedent for resilient democracy, urging immediate government action to enfranchise marginalized voters.

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Materializing External Voting for Nepali Citizens Abroad in 2026 and beyond

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 13:35:30 +0000

Khagendra Raj Dhakal, PhD and Liza Maharjan

Nepal Policy Institute

Executive Summary:

Nepal’s 2015 Constitution guarantees the right to vote for all its citizens, yet the external voting system remains a far cry, disenfranchising millions of Nepali citizens living, working or studying abroad.

The Gen Z–led uprising of September 2025, which prompted the Prime Minister’s resignation and the announcement of fresh elections in March 2026, has reignited calls for greater accountability and inclusion. Extending voting rights to Nepalis living abroad would fulfill a long-standing constitutional promise and signal renewed faith in participatory governance at a decisive moment in the country’s democratic evolution.

Drawing on lessons from more than 115 countries that have considered external voting, this brief proposes a hybrid and phased External Voting model for Nepal’s 2026 national elections. This hybrid approach combines embassy voting, Internet based Voting (i-Voting), postal voting, and multi-day in-person voting in Nepal to balance inclusivity, feasibility, and security in the imminent 2026 election. Crucially, by adopting internationally proven ready-made remote voter registration and i-Voting technology services, Nepal can complete remote voter registration and i-Voting implementation within a 12-to-13- week window, making it feasible for the March 2026 deadline, provided swift project bidding and appropriate legislative actions are taken immediately.

Since Nepali citizens reside across more than 100 countries worldwide, the brief recommends gradually transitioning to i-Voting as the primary method to ensure scalable, legal, administrative, economic, and inclusive participation in the electoral process. This brief further recommends extending the i-Voting method for domestic use, particularly for internally migrated populations and vulnerable communities—in the short term and progressively expanding it for internal voting as well as a forward-looking approach to ensure broader participation in the election process.

Looking ahead to the 2031 elections and beyond, these reforms could benefit both Nepali citizens at home and abroad, positioning Nepal as a regional leader in secure, technology-enabled democratic participation through the adoption of i-Voting as its principal voting method.

Download PDF File here

Document Type: Policy Brief

Access: Open

Country: Nepal

Keywords:External Voting, Internet Voting (i-Voting), Remote Voter Registration, Diaspora Voting, Overseas Voters, Electoral Reform, Digital Democracy, Cybersecurity in Elections

Citation: Dhakal, K. R., & Maharjan, L. (2025, October). Materializing External Voting for Nepali Citizens Abroad in 2026 and Beyond. NPI Policy Brief Series, Issue No. 7. The Hague & Kathmandu: Nepal Policy Institute.

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External Voting For Nepali Citizens Abroad

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 08:49:07 +0000

Policy Recommendations

External Voting For Nepali Citizens Abroad

Read Full Document Here

The full version of this Policy Recommendation is available in both English and Nepali. The bilingual document can be downloaded from the link above.

Other Publications

Nepal: From Moon-Promises to a Nation That Builds

Executive Summary As political parties unveil their manifestos, Nepal does not lack promises. It lacks a blueprint for building. Elections

Enhancing Nepal’s Electoral System

Executive Summary Nepal’s electoral system faces significant challenges in accommodating its large diaspora estimated at over 2.5 million citizens abroad

EVENTS

Nepal Policy Leadership Program

NPI Policy Dialogue Series on “Women at the Forefront of Policy Making”

NPI Policy Dialogue Series on “Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in School Education in Nepal”

IN THE MEDIA

विदेशका नेपालीलाई मताधिकार दिन दलहरू प्रतिबद्ध

विदेशका नेपालीको नोट चल्ने, भोट नचल्ने ?

Stakeholders emphasize ensuring voting rights to Nepalis living abroad

Projects

Federal and Provincial Elections 2022

Conflict of Interest in the Executive Branch of the Federal Government

The Other Side of Hope: Tales from the Nepali Transnational Femme Migranes

NPI PUBLICATIONS

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NEWS

NPI Chair Recommends Thailand’s ’30 Baht Model’ to Minister Paudel for Advancing Universal Health in Nepal

NPI Fellow Dinesh Thapa Completes School for Think Tankers 2025 Program in Barcelona

Final Session of Nepal Policy Leadership Program Concluded

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NPI Team Meets MP Gagan Thapa in Bangkok to Discuss Diaspora Knowledge Mobilization

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 10:33:51 +0000

The Nepal Policy Institute (NPI) team, led by Chair Dr. Khagendra Raj Dhakal, held a policy dialogue with Hon. Gagan Thapa, Member of Parliament and General Secretary of the Nepali Congress, during his visit to Bangkok, Thailand in July 2025. The meeting brought together a group of Nepali professionals, entrepreneurs, and scholars based in Thailand and Nepal to explore how Nepal can strategically mobilize diaspora knowledge and talent for national development.

The conversation focused on strengthening institutional capacity, enhancing the capabilities of public service officers, and leveraging the global expertise of the Nepali diaspora across key sectors. Areas of discussion included work-integrated education, public policy, public health, and agriculture. The dialogue also emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership and the role of evidence-informed policymaking in addressing Nepal’s evolving governance challenges.

Key Themes Discussed

1. Capacity Building for Policy Leadership

Participants stressed the importance of enhancing the skills and capacity of public officials, elected representatives, and young political leaders across the entire policy cycle, from design to implementation and evaluation. Hon. Thapa expressed strong interest in the Nepal Policy Leadership Program (NPLP), NPI’s flagship initiative, and encouraged its expansion to include emerging leaders from across political parties.

2. Entrepreneurship-Focused Education and Recognition of Entrepreneurs

The dialogue highlighted the need for Nepal’s education system to embrace entrepreneurship-focused learning to empower youth to create opportunities for themselves. Hon. Thapa emphasized the importance of appreciating and supporting entrepreneurial efforts, particularly those led by Nepali youth and returnee diaspora. A stronger support ecosystem and social recognition for entrepreneurs were identified as critical enablers for national progress.

3. Public Health Insurance Reform

Reflecting on his tenure as Nepal’s Health Minister, Hon. Thapa shared insights on the national health insurance program and explored how international models, particularly Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme, could provide valuable lessons for enhancing Nepal’s public healthcare system.

4. Advancing Agricultural R&D

The dialogue underscored the need for increased investment in agricultural research and development in Nepal. Participants emphasized the importance of protecting Nepal’s indigenous biodiversity and establishing appropriate intellectual property rights frameworks to safeguard local knowledge and promote equitable benefit-sharing. The conversation also highlighted the potential of high-value crops, non-timber forest products, and the promotion of economically important native plants as key strategies for rural development and sustainability. The Chiuri plant was cited as a notable example, with discussions focusing on its organized cultivation and commercialization, reinforcing the broader need for structured support and innovation in this sector. Diaspora professionals and institutional partnerships were recognized as critical drivers in advancing these efforts.

Participants

This knowledge exchange featured contributions from the folowing Nepali scholars and practitioners based in Bangkok and Nepal:

Mr. Sharad Neupane – NPI Founding Member; UNDP
Dr. Asha Pun – UNICEF
Mr. Ravi Maharjan – Chief of Operations, Wells International School
Dr. Umed Pun – King Mongkut’s University of Technology Ladkrabang (KMUTL)
Mr. Assajita Awale – Executive Member, Thai-Nepal Chamber of Commerce
Mr. Deependra Chamlagain – Director, Samriddhi Foundation
Mr. Nishant Khanal – Economist; Graduate, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy
Mr. Niranjan Shrestha – Executive Director, Laxmi Group
Dr. Khagendra Raj Dhakal – Chair, NPI; Faculty Member, KMUTNB

Way Forward

The Bangkok dialogue reaffirmed the importance of connecting Nepal’s policy leadership with its global knowledge diaspora. These exchanges offer valuable platforms for shared reflection, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving. As a token of appreciation, Dr. Dhakal presented a memento to Hon. Thapa on behalf of NPI, underscoring a shared commitment to strengthening Nepal’s future through informed engagement and inclusive leadership.

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NPI Chair Recommends Thailand’s ’30 Baht Model’ to Minister Paudel for Advancing Universal Health in Nepal

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 19:29:09 +0000

During his visit to Bangkok for the United Nations Regional Ministerial Meeting, H.E. Pradip Paudel, Minister of Health and Population of Nepal, met with Dr. Khagendra Raj Dhakal, Chair of the Nepal Policy Institute (NPI), on June 26 at Bow Hotel for a policy-focused discussion on Nepal’s evolving public health priorities and strategic reform pathways.

The meeting focused on Nepal’s Universal Health Coverage (UHC) goals, with particular attention to the expansion of the National Health Insurance Program (NHIP). Minister Paudel shared his government’s efforts to increase health insurance coverage and reaffirmed his commitment to enhancing the program’s reach to underserved populations.

Dr. Dhakal appreciated the Minister’s forward-looking leadership and presented key learnings from Thailand’s public health system, especially the well-known “30 Baht Scheme” which has delivered affordable, equitable, and efficient care across Thailand through tax-based funding.

Learning from Thailand’s ’30 Baht Scheme’: A Practical Model for Nepal

Dr. Dhakal provided background on Thailand’s highly regarded “30 Baht Scheme” to illustrate its potential relevance for Nepal. Officially introduced in 2001 as part of Thailand’s Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS), the program initially allowed citizens to access nearly all essential health services at government facilities for just 30 Baht per visit (approximately 1 USD).

The scheme offers comprehensive coverage—including outpatient, inpatient, maternal and child health, chronic disease management, and essential medicines—at public hospitals and health centers across Thailand. Managed by the National Health Security Office (NHSO), it uses a capitation-based funding model and a primary care gatekeeping system to ensure efficiency and cost control. As a result, Thailand achieved near-universal health coverage and drastically reduced out-of-pocket spending, while maintaining relatively low health expenditure as a percentage of GDP.

When the Minister inquired about the population coverage under the 30 Baht Scheme, Dr. Dhakal explained that it covers approximately 74% of Thailand’s population through the UCS. He elaborated that Thailand’s based on the publicly available sources, Thailand has achieved more than 99% coverage through three complementary public insurance schemes as below:

Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) – ~74–75%
Social Security Scheme (SSS) – ~15–16%
Civil Servant Medical Benefit Scheme (CSMBS) – ~8–9%

This coordinated system ensures no citizen is left without health protection. Nepal could take inspiration from this multi-scheme model to create a more inclusive and equitable health insurance system.

Eligibility and Services Covered

The UCS (30 Baht Scheme) primarily covers Thai citizens not enrolled in the CSMBS or SSS—mainly informal sector workers, the unemployed, low-income groups, the elderly, and children.

Services covered include:

Outpatient and inpatient care
Essential medicines and diagnostics
Chronic disease management
Maternal and child health services
Family planning, immunizations, health promotion
Basic dental services
Mental health and rehabilitation care

These are delivered mainly through public hospitals and health centers, though accredited private facilities are also included in specific areas. A gatekeeping system ensures cost-effective referrals.

How the 30 Baht Scheme Is Funded

Dr. Dhakal noted that the scheme is financed through general taxation, with per capita budgeting proposed annually by the Ministry of Public Health and approved by the Ministry of Finance. Funds are managed by the NHSO, and healthcare providers receive payments via a capitation model. There are no premiums or payroll deductions, making it especially effective for informal sector populations.

Comparative Insights for Nepal

Indicator	Nepal	Thailand	Implication
Health Spending (% of GDP)	5.4%	3.8%	Efficient design matters more than volume
Out-of-Pocket Spending	55–60%	10–12%	Nepal needs stronger financial protection
UHC Service Coverage Index	53.1	83.9	Enhance access to essential services

Additionally, Thailand is transitioning from a “treat all diseases” model to a “treatment anywhere” model with multi-sectoral reforms, showing Nepal how flexibility and integration can be embedded in future NHIP development.

Recommendations

Unify fragmented health schemes under one UHC framework
Link sin taxes to an autonomous Nepal Health Promotion Foundation
Digitize NHIP enrollment and tracking
Pilot UHC reform in digitally advanced provinces
Introduce minimum mandatory insurance for informal workers

Concluding the discussion, Minister Paudel responded positively and expressed interest in continuing dialogue with NPI to explore best practices from Thailand and beyond. Both parties agreed to deepen collaboration on key areas such as health financing, equity, and public health innovation.

The meeting was also attended by Joint Secretary Mr. Dhundiraj Niraula from the Ministry of Health and Population, Deputy Chief of Mission Mr. Moti Bahadur Shrees from the Embassy of Nepal in Bangkok, and the Minister’s Personal Secretary, Mr. Pawan Poudel.

On this occasion, Dr. Dhakal presented a copy of NPI Newsletter, Knowledge Bridge, to Minister Paudel. NPI extends its sincere appreciation to the Minister for his openness to regional learning and his commitment to evidence-based policy reform in Nepal’s health sector.

(Note: This report is based on the discussion points prepared by the NPI Chair for briefing Minister Paudel.)

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NPI Fellow Dinesh Thapa Completes School for Think Tankers 2025 Program in Barcelona

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 15:36:41 +0000

We are pleased to share that NPI Fellow Dinesh Thapa recently completed the #SchoolForThinkTankers2025 program, organized by On Think Tanks in Barcelona from February 3-7, 2025. Upon his return, he reported back to NPI and expressed enthusiasm for applying the insights gained from the program to his work at NPI.

This intensive program brought together emerging think tank leaders from around the world, featuring high-impact sessions led by senior think tank experts on organizational management, strategic operations, and policy influence. The training aimed to equip, inspire, and strengthen the next generation of think tank leaders while fostering global collaboration and knowledge exchange.

As part of the program, Dinesh also introduced the Nepal Policy Institute and its key projects to fellow participants, showcasing our work on the people-centered policy-making process in Nepal. Beyond the sessions, this platform provided an invaluable opportunity for NPI to build strategic partnerships, exchange insights, and expand our global network within the think tank ecosystem.

We are proud to be part of this dynamic community, express our thanks to OTT, and highly recommend this program to aspiring think tank professionals.

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Final Session of Nepal Policy Leadership Program Concluded

Mon, 23 Sep 2024 04:32:43 +0000

Exciting insights from our final session of the Nepal Policy Leadership Program (NPLP)! On September 21, 2024, we gathered virtually to delve into the Importance of Impact Evaluation in the Policy Development Cycle. Led by the insightful Ms. Samjhana Shrestha, participants explored how effective impact evaluation can drive informed decision-making and improve policy outcomes in Nepal.

Thank you to everyone who joined us in this enriching discussion! Stay tuned for more updates from NPI as we continue to foster impactful leadership in policy development.

#NPLP #ImpactEvaluation #NPI #NepalPolicyInstitute #PolicyLeadership #SustainableDevelopment

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Vol.1 Issue 1

Mon, 16 Sep 2024 06:42:58 +0000

September 2024

Knowledge Bridge Vol.1 Issue 1

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NPI Board Member Mr. Neupane Attends ANA Annual Conference in San Francisco

Tue, 06 Aug 2024 06:09:22 +0000

A huge event took place in San Francisco from July 19-21, 2024, as the Association of Nepalis in America (ANA) held its annual conference, attracting Nepali diaspora from across the United States. Among the distinguished attendees was a board member of the Nepal Policy Institute (NPI) Mr. Kedar Neupane, who was invited to participate in the convention, reinforcing the longstanding collaboration between NPI and ANA. ANA is the oldest, pioneer & influential Nepali community organization (established in 1983) in North America.

NPI has been working closely with ANA, the oldest Nepali diaspora community organization in the US, for the past few years. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to fostering unity and harmony within the Nepalese diaspora in the Americas. While ANA focuses on community activities, NPI collaborates with ANA to to challenge the their knowledge resources useful for public policies in Nepal. Mr. Neupane during the convention addressed the ANA community, providing a comprehensive update on NPI’s recent activities and future initiatives.

The convention’s goals were multifaceted, emphasizing the promotion of unity and harmony among the Nepalese diaspora. Additionally, the event highlighted the commitment of both organizations to preserve and promote Nepali identity, culture, heritage, literature, and knowledge. These efforts are geared towards ensuring the prosperity and well-being of the Nepali community in the Americas. Over the course of three days, the convention offered a series of enlightening sessions, engaging forums, and dynamic networking opportunities. These activities were designed to explore new frontiers and foster meaningful connections among attendees. The event provided a platform for participants to engage in insightful discussions, share knowledge, and build lasting relationships.

The ANA annual conference in San Francisco was a resounding success, underscoring the importance of collaboration and community building within the Nepali diaspora. The participation of NPI and its board member was a testament to the strong bond between the two organizations and their shared vision for a united and prosperous Nepali community in the United States. We would like to express our gratitude towards the ANA family for the invitation and look forward to collaborate more in the days to come.

#NPI #nepal #policy #NepaliDiaspora #ANA

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