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Nepal

 
After more than 10 years of civil strife, Nepal recently elected a constituent assembly, who will chart the country's future. One of the major components of the November 2006 Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the Seven-Party Alliance government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) was an agreement to hold elections for a constituent assembly. The Carter Center observed these elections in April 2008 and continues to actively support peace and democracy after this critical test for the consolidation of multi-party democracy.

 
Waging Peace

Mediating Conflict
Beginning in 2004, Carter Center staff met with royal and government officials, and representatives from other national organizations to discuss possible solutions to the civil conflict and avenues of mediation.

The Carter Center held several rounds of conflict resolution training for political party representatives and civil society leaders, bridge-building sessions with Maoist representatives in Nepal, and worked in broad cooperation and coordination with international organizations engaged in Nepal.

The Center's sustained engagement eventually transformed into a democracy-focused project as Nepal's internal political dynamics changed.


Monitoring Elections

After a decade-long conflict, a comprehensive peace agreement between the government of Nepal and Maoist rebel leaders called for the creation of an interim constitution, monitoring of the arms and armies of the state and the Maoists by the United Nations, establishment of an interim transitional assembly and government that included the Maoists, and an election to form a constituent assembly. After two previous postponements, the constituent assembly election was held on April 10, 2008.  The main task of the elected constituent assembly is to complete the writing of a new constitution in two years.

In countries emerging from long-term conflicts, a strong international observer presence has the capability to build confidence in the electoral process and, if necessary and appropriate, help mediate acceptance of credible election results. The government of Nepal, the Election Commission, the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), the Nepali Congress (NC), the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist), and various other political parties invited The Carter Center to monitor Nepal's electoral process. 

The Carter Center launched an international election observation mission in Nepal with the deployment of 13 long-term observers in all regions of the country on March 9, 2007. The Carter Center mission was managed in Nepal through a field office, established in Kathmandu in early January 2007.  Despite two election date postponements, the Center maintained its observation presence in country throughout the entire electoral process to continually monitor and report on the evolving political situation across the country.  The Carter Center's mission issued several pre-election statements throughout the process to share its assessment and to offer recommendations on preparations for the election.

The Center deployed a larger, short-term delegation of 62 observers from more than 20 countries to observe the April 10, 2008, constituent assembly election.  Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, led the Center's international election observation delegation to Nepal with Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai, former deputy prime minister of Thailand.

Despite worries caused by a pre-electoral period marred by incidents of violence, Carter Center observers found that on election day the majority of Nepali voters participated in a remarkable and relatively peaceful constituent assembly election with the overall election administration being well-executed.

The Carter Center's long-term observers remained in Nepal to observe the post-election period, including the counting procedures, re-polling in areas where irregularities occurred on election day, the complaints process, and the final declaration of results. While some irregularities were observed during the post-election period, the overall counting of results was judged to be impartial with all political parties accepting the results.  

With the completion of the election, a significant milestone in Nepal's peace process has passed. Over the next two years, members of the constituent assembly will deliberate on Nepal's future and draft a new democratic constitution that will take into account the rights of all the people of Nepal, including those who have been severely marginalized in the past.

 
Updated May 2008

 
Election Reports:

November 10, 2008: Final Report on Observing Nepal's 2008 Constituent Assembly Election (PDF)

May 30, 2008: The Carter Center Congratulates Nepal's New Constituent Assembly

April 12, 2008: Nepal Constituent Assembly Election - Preliminary Statement by The Carter Center

April 1, 2008: Jimmy Carter to Lead Delegation to Observe Nepal's April 10 Elections

March 18, 2008: Carter Center Urges an End to Election-Related Violence in Nepal


Feb.17, 2008: Carter Center Calls on Nepal's Government and All Parties to Focus on April 10 Elections

Nov. 24, 2007: Statement by Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter in Nepal


Oct. 6, 2007: Carter Center Statement on the Nepal Election Delay

Oct. 3, 2007: Fourth Pre-Election Statement-Nepal's Peace Process at Critical Juncture; Carter Center Appeals to all Nepali Political Actors to Work Together for Elections


August 10, 2007: Third Pre-Election Statement - Carter Center Urges Nepal to Continue Progress for Nov. 22 Elections

June 12, 2007: Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter to Visit Nepal

June 8, 2007: Second Pre-Election Statement - The Carter Center International Election Observation Mission in Nepal  

April 16, 2007:  Pre-Election Statement: Carter Center Election Observation Mission in Nepal


March 9, 2007:  The Carter Center Deploys Election Observers in Nepal