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PEACE
Hope
Nepal Elections
Election 2008
Statement of Ian Martin
Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal
Constituent Assembly Election 2008
1st post-CA election statement
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First Post-Election Statement

Kathmandu, 10 April 2008 (UNMIN)

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.

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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