| PEACE
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| Nepal Elections |
| Election
2008 |
| Statement
of Ian Martin |
| Special
Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal |
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First
Post-Election Statement
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Kathmandu,
10 April 2008 (UNMIN)
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| I
congratulate the people of Nepal, who have demonstrated their commitment
to democracy by turning out in large numbers to vote in today's historic
Constituent Assembly election.
I
also congratulate the Election Commission on its conduct of the poll. Election
day was conducted by and large in a peaceful and orderly manner, though
I regret the loss at least three lives and my offer condolences to the
families. |
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The
Chief Election Commissioner has stated after the close of polls that on
its current information the Election Commission's initial estimate is of a
60 per cent voter turnout, and that it has cancelled polls in 33
out of the more than 20,000 polling centres.
This
has been Nepal's most observed election, and in the coming days and weeks
both international and national observer groups will be making public their
findings regarding the electoral process, including preparations, polling
and the post-polling process.
Political
parties and their leaders now need to ensure that they accept the people's
decision through this election, or where they have challenges in relation
to the process to pursue these through the proper legal channels.
UNMIN
was asked to assist in creating a free and fair atmosphere for the election,
and on polling day together with the Office of the High Commissioner for
Human Rights deployed our teams across the country to maximise our impact
in building confidence of voters on election day. In addition to the technical
assistance provided to the Election Commission in all 75 districts, UNMIN
civil affairs teams and OHCHR human rights officers operated in mobile
teams across 45 districts; UNMIN arms monitors were present at all 28 Maoist
army cantonment sites and operated mobile patrols from the five regional
headquarters, visiting Nepal Army locations, and in Joint Monitoring Teams
in communities nearby cantonment sites. Members of the Maoist army and
the Nepal Army voted at polling centres close to their designated locations
in accordance with the procedures established by the Election Commission.
| Source:
UNMIN, April 2008 |
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