Nepal, Feb. 27 -- Of the nearly 19 million eligible voters in next week's election in Nepal, an estimated 5 million are abroad and cannot cast their ballots. Many others within Nepal must travel to their home districts, and might decide not to because of the cost.

Flights into Kathmandu these days are full of global Nepalis returning just to vote, but almost as many are leaving for overseas jobs. Most of those coming or going are in the 20-40 age group, and a majority want Nepal to see a change in leadership.

Bangladesh held an election this month in which citizens overseas could vote by mail.

"Bangladesh made maximum use of technology not just for campaigning but also for polling itself. We could have also managed this, so people wit...