UN chief urges Nepal to maintain election timetable
27 May, 2013 - The United Nations chief is urging all parties in Nepal to overcome
remaining political obstacles to hold the country’s next elections within the existing
timetable. The spokesperson of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon released a statement
on Friday saying the UN chief “has been following events in Nepal closely,” and “urges
all parties to maintain momentum by overcoming the remaining political obstacles to
hold the next elections within the existing timetable of the recent 11-point agreement.”
In March, the four major political parties signed an agreement which appointed the
country’s chief justice to head the government that will oversee the holding of Constituent
Assembly elections, effectively ending the political stalemate that began late last
year. The agreement has mandated that elections be held by 21 June or mid-December
2013 at the latest. “The Secretary-General expresses the continuing commitment of
the United Nations to work closely with Nepal in support of the peace process,” the
statement said. Nepal has been plagued by political disputes since a civil war between
Government forces and Maoists formally ended in 2007 and the monarchy was abolished.
The UN has closely supported Nepal’s peace process, having had a political mission
in the country from 2007 until 2011. There have been important achievements in the
peace process, including the completion of the discharge and integration process of
the ex-Maoist army, the successful and largely peaceful elections in 2008, the removal
of all minefields, and a smooth transition to a Republic. However, challenges have
included a missed 27 May 2012 deadline for a new constitution and the dissolution
of the Constituent Assembly that followed. (Source: UN)