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QUICK FACTS: NEPAL

Size: 147,181 sq km

Population: 28,901,790

Religions: Hindu, 80.6 percent; Buddhist; Muslim; Kirant; other

Life expectancy: 60 years

Population below poverty line: 30.1 percent

Ethnic groups: Chhettri, 15.5 percent; Brahman-Hill; Magar; Tharu; Tamang; Newar; Muslim; Kami; Yadav; other

Languages: Nepali, Maithali, Bhojpuri, Tharu (Dagaura/Rana), Tamang, Newar, Magar, Awadhi, other

(Source: U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, World Factbook 2008; The World Bank 2006)

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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 multiparty democracy.

Waging Peace

Reports: Election, Other >

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, held 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 postelection 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 postelection 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.

Monitoring the Peace Process
The Carter Center officially launched its post-election activities in June 2009 by deploying 10 international and five national observers around the country. The objectives of this project are to monitor the post-election peace and constitution drafting processes and to provide impartial information on progress in these areas to political and civil society leaders throughout the country.

To achieve these objectives, observers are deployed in teams of three (two internationals and one national) to each of the five development regions. Each team is based in their respective regional hub city (Biratnagar, Dhangadhi, Nepalganj, Pokhara, or Kathmandu). They follow various topics such as the constitutional drafting process and related issues, marginalized groups' activities and participation in the peace process, implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), and the security environment. Teams meet with local officials in their districts as well as civil society leaders and local citizens. To date, observers have been deployed for more than 100 days, have visited 37 of the 75 districts in Nepal, and have held roughly 1000 meetings with stakeholders.

The information they gather is compiled into periodic public reports, the first of which was released in English and Nepali on Aug. 26, 2009, and covered the general political climate across the country. The report was distributed to all 601 members of the Constituent Assembly and more than 150 Carter Center contacts at the national level. In addition, observers distributed the report throughout their respective regions and met with stakeholders to discuss and explain its findings.

Updated December 2009

Election Reports

Nov. 30, 2009: Carter Center Notes Poor but Improved Tarai Security Environment in Nepal

Aug. 26, 2009: The Carter Center Urges Progress on Nepal's Peace and Constitutional Processes, Increased Attention to the Local Level

July 10, 2009: The Carter Center Continues Support to Nepal's Peace Process

April 13, 2009: Carter Center Observers Note Largely Peaceful By-Election Day, Progress in Electoral Conduct, Some Areas for Improvement