Carter centre urges government for sound electoral process

The Carter centre, a non-profit international organisation working for peace and democracy around the world, has urged the government of Nepal to improve security environment to ensure a credible electoral process.

"Carter Centre observers report unacceptable level of continued fear, intimidation and physical violence. The poor law and order situation should be addressed in order to ensure a credible electoral process," stated a press statement issued by the Carter Centre.

It stated that all political parties, regardless of their ideologies, should be allowed to move and campaign freely in Nepal.

The centre urged the interim government to adopt the legal framework that will provide the necessary base for the election commission and other participants to conduct the constituent assembly election.

It also suggested to take extra care to include the perspectives and participation of previously underrepresented groups. The centre's observation mission stated there was a widespread lack of awareness among the Nepali people about the purpose and meaning of the constituent assembly election. "A national voter awareness campaign is necessary to address this gap," the centre said.

"Seized voter lists, civil unrest in the Terai, migrant voter issues, problems related to the citizenship process and the lack of a publicly displayed preliminary voter's list threaten to undermine the credibility of the voters' registration process. Wherever feasible, measures must be undertaken to accommodate these concerns or minimise their ultimate impact."

While delay beyond June generates understandable uncertainty, a flawed electoral process could also undermine the peace process, the centre stated. "The poor law and order situation limits freedom of movement for election and government officials, political parties, and Nepali citizens."

The centre has deployed long-term observers representing eight different nationalities throughout the country. These observers have visited 50 of Nepal's 75 districts.