UN Envoy for Conducive Climate for Elections in Nepal
'Pakistan Times' Wire Service

UNITED NATIONS: The U.N. envoy to Nepal has said that while the peace process in the country was on track, a conducive political and security climate was crucial for the holding of credible elections next month.

Preparations for the upcoming Constituent Assembly election, slated to be held on 22 November, are underway, but “considerable challenges’ remain, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Representative for Nepal Ian Martin told reporters in New York after briefing the Security Council.

Although Nepal’s peace process started out focused primarily on ending the conflict between the Maoists and the State, it has become increasingly more complicated as traditionally marginalized groups ask for fair representation in the process, Martin noted.

‘Dialogue with these groups needs to continue to ensure that there is a consensus so that the electoral system will operate fairly so far as all groups are concerned,” he said.

While satisfying these groups’ concerns will contribute to improving public security, cooperation among local political parties is also crucial.

“I dont believe that public security can be assured by policing alone,” said Martin, who also heads the UN Mission in Nepal (UNMIN).

Since the Nepalese police are ‘significantly demoralized, political parties have to cooperate amongst themselves to create a situation in which they respect each others’ rights to campaign and to avoid the intimidation of voters,” he added.

Hoping to take full advantage of the international presence in the country both before and during the election, the Government and the Election Commission have invited as many international observers as possible, he said.

UNMIN itself is also increasing its presence in Nepal.●