At Work Around the World

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
The Comprehensive Peace Agreement Nepal between the government of Nepal and Maoist rebel leaders calls for the creation of an interim constitution, disarmament of the Maoists to be monitored by the United Nations, establishment of an interim transitional assembly and government that includes the Maoists, and elections to a constituent assembly. The constituent assembly will then have two years to write a new constitution for the country.
A strong international observer presence may help build confidence in the ongoing electoral process, and, if necessary and appropriate, help mediate acceptance of credible election results. The government of Nepal and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) have specifically extended an invitation to The Carter Center, together with other international and domestic observers.  The Election Commission and other stakeholders have also welcomed the Center's involvement.

The Carter Center launched an international election observation mission in Nepal with the deployment of thirteen long-term observers in all five development regions around the country on March 9, 2007. A Carter Center international election observation mission field office, established in Kathmandu in early January 2007, managed the observation mission. 

The Center deployed a larger, short-term delegation of 62 observers from more than 20 countries to observe the April 10, 2008, constituent assembly elections.  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. Constituent assembly members are charged with writing a new constitution for the country.

On election day, Carter Center observers found that the majority of Nepali voters participated in a remarkable and relatively peaceful constituent assembly election.  Preliminary reports indicated that the administration of the election was well executed.  The Carter Center will continue to observe the district counting and national tabulation until complete and, when appropriate, comment further on the electoral process.

 
Updated May 2008

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


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



6 October 2007: Carter Center Statement on the Nepal Election Delay
 
3 October 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


10 August 2007: Third Pre-Election Statement - Carter Center Urges Nepal to Continue Progress for Nov. 22 Elections
 
8 June 2007: Second Pre-Election Statement - The Carter Center International Election Observation Mission in Nepal 
 
16 April 2007:  Pre-Election Statement: Carter Center Election Observation Mission in Nepal



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