Opt 70 percent fully proportional and rest mixed first-past-the-post: Carter

Former American president Jimmy Carter has suggested Nepali political leaders to opt a fully proportional electoral system for 70 percent of the total seats and a mixed-electoral system of the first-past-the-post for the rest 30 percent for the Constituent Assembly (CA) elections. Carter said that PM Koirala and other political leaders told him that they were yet to study his proposal.

At a press conference, organized before his departure to his homeland after four day long Nepal visit, Carter stressed that republic should come into effect only through the meeting of the CA. He also urged all the political parties to participate in the CA elections.

Stating that his proposal could incorporate the feelings of all the political parties, Carter requested them to take his proposal as the foundation of the discussions. Ex President Carter opined that mistrust among the political parties has been exacerbated by the failure on both sides to implement key provisions of the Comprehensive Peace Accord and subsequent agreements signed with marginalized groups.

He also expressed his disappointment over the Maoist's move of quitting the government.

During his Nepal stay, Carter meet with PM Koirala and leaders of the major political parties, members of Parliament, members of the Election Commission, Madhesi representatives, representatives of civil society, indigenous nationalities leaders, Chief of the Army Staff, People's Liberation Army deputy commanders, United Nations Mission in Nepal head Ian Martin and ambassadors at different embassies.