South Asia
Nepal: Ban welcomes peaceful conduct of polls
New York, Nov 21: Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Wednesday congratulated the people of Nepal for the peaceful and successful conduct of Tuesday’s elections for members of the Constituent Assembly, which is tasked with drafting the country’s new constitution.
“The new Constituent Assembly will have the historic responsibility to complete a new constitution, building upon the impressive gains in the peace process so far, and thereby promoting national dialogue and genuine reconciliation,” said a statement issued by Ban’s spokesperson.
“The United Nations remains committed to supporting Nepal in its transition towards a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future.”
The UN has closely supported Nepal’s peace process, having had a political mission in the country from 2007 until 2011, following the signing of the peace accords that ended the decade-long armed conflict between the Government and the Maoist opposition.
The country has been plagued by political disputes ever since the war ended and the monarchy was abolished. The first Constituent Assembly, elected in 2008, was unable to complete the drafting of a new constitution before it was dissolved in May 2012.
Nepalese wait at a polling centre to vote in the 19 November 2013 elections for members of the Constituent Assembly. Photo: UNDP/Indra Dhoj Kshetri
