Kathmandu, Dec. 3 -- In what appears to be an attempt to save face, the Sushila Karki government is preparing to issue an ordinance to clear legal hurdles to allow the Nepali diaspora to vote even as the Election Commission has just three months to hold the polls.

The commission has said it is very much on track to hold the March 5 elections as it started preparations immediately after the election date was announced on September 12. Ever since taking the helm, Karki and her ministers have been expressing commitment to ensure voting rights to Nepalis residing abroad. However, other than the announcements and working on the draft of the ordinance, the government has not taken any concrete logistic and diplomatic measures to make sure the ...