The Election Commission has started the process of voter registration in 58 municipalities in 43 districts. But instead of just updating the older list this year, representatives of the commission are going door-to-door to collect information from eligible voters. The representatives will check citizenship cards and then collect information, a photo and thumbprints of voters, who will then be issued with voter ID cards. The plan is to issue national ID cards as well on the basis of this information.

This process is being enthusiastically conducted in most districts, but is facing problems in the Tarai with some sections opposing the process. Although the decision to collect voter details was taken after consulting all political parties, the Madhes parties are now opposing the process. This is because voter ID cards are to be issued on the basis of citizenship cards, and as many in the Tarai don't have citizenship cards, the parties feel the new process will deprive Madhesis of their voting rights.

But if the commission simply updates the old voter list, it will allow Indian nationals living in the Tarai to be issued voting cards as well. This might be beneficial to some political parties, but will be a threat on a national level.

Instead of opposing the process of collecting voter details, the Madhesi parties should look into why some Nepali nationals do not have a citizenship card yet; this is a problem that can be resolved.

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