Carter couple to lead election observation delegation to Nepal
Former President of the United States and his wife Rosalynn, the founders
of the Carter Center, are scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu, leading an
international election observation delegation to Nepal next week.
According to the Carter Center, the Carter couple is expected to arrive in
Kathmandu on April 7. Dr Surakiart Sathirathai, former deputy Prime Minister of Thailand will co-lead the delegation of 60 observers
representing more than 20 different nationalities deployed by the Center
throughout Nepal.
While in Nepal, the delegation will meet the leaders of the political
parties, Election Commission officials and representatives of domestic and
international election observation missions, and will monitor the polls on
April 10.
Meanwhile, the Carter, which has deployed its long-term observers in Nepal
since March 2007, has expressed concern over the recent escalation in
electoral violence and clashes including the killings of eight Maoist
cadres and assassination of Rastriya Janamorcha candidate, the blast in a
mosque in Biratnagar as well as the threats and intimidation, particularly
by the Maoists.
"The Center notes that all parties stand to gain significant domestic and
international credibility by conducting a successful election on April 10
and encourages all parties to intensify peaceful campaigning efforts."
David Pottie, associate director of the Center's Democracy Program, said, "I am encouraged to see that the top leadership of the Nepali Congress,
CPN-UML, and CPN-Maoist have publicly renewed their commitment to a
peaceful electoral process." He added, "Now is the time to transform these
words into action." nepalnews.com mk Apr 01 08
