Kathmandu, Sept. 19 -- The government says it is determined to ensure voting rights for the Nepali diaspora living in different countries even as the Election Commission has already started preparations for the upcoming elections.

In a meeting with the Election Commission officials on Thursday, Minister for Home Affairs Om Prakash Aryal said it is vital to ensure voting rights for Nepali diaspora. Citing the Supreme Court verdict, Aryal claimed that the government was ready to make necessary arrangements for the same.

"We are planning to start giving voting rights to Nepalis living abroad from somewhere [some countries]," he said, talking to the media after the meeting. "The government is ready to clear the technical and legal barriers ...