ANFREL says post election period was peaceful

The Asian Network for Free Elections (ANFREL), an international election observer group, has sad it is encouraged by the peaceful post-election environment in Nepal and that the counting, complaints procedures and re-polling have been carried out sufficiently well for the results of the election to be broadly accepted both by parties and the voting public.

In its final post election report, ANFREL said in almost all constituencies it visited, counting and tabulation was conducted to the general satisfaction of election stakeholders.

It has recommended strengthening oversight of the counting process by clearly displaying large counting and tabulation sheets inside and outside of counting centres, clearly define roles and responsibilities of counting officials, offer them greater training, and exercise stronger management within counting centres, consider allowing fingerprints and other marks on ballot papers as a valid expression of a voter's intention.

It also suggested prohibiting political party representatives from assisting in voter identification outside of polling stations and rely only on polling officials to rigorously assess the identity of voters, considering assigning Returning/Polling Officers to work in stations outside of their home districts to reduce the fear they may feel in confronting and reporting on violators of election law and taking strong action against those undermining the integrity of the election, including candidates themselves where there is evidence indicating their involvement.

It stressed on the need to increase the human resources within the Election Commission, both centrally and at the constituency level, to investigate, administer, and adjudicate complaints. nepalnews.com ia Apr 28 08