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VOL. 27, NO. 29, March 28, 2008 (Chaitra 15 2064 B.S.)
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Pointing To Challenges
The first election report prepared by the UNMIN points to challenges and difficulties before the CA election
By A CORRESPONDENT
Amid the reports of clashes and violations of election code of conduct, the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), which is also mandated to monitor the Constituent Assembly (CA) as a part and parcel of Nepal's peace process, on March 22, released a first of a series of periodic reports on the conditions for the 10 April Constituent Assembly election.
At the outset of the report, it commends the achievement of overcoming significant political hurdles that had seriously threatened to derail the electoral process. However, its report gives most of the space to highlight 'new challenges and difficulties that have emerged in the campaigning context.'
"The aim of UNMIN's public report is to encourage the political parties and all Nepalis to create a free and fair atmosphere for the Constituent Assembly election," said Ian Martin, Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Nepal.
The 4-page report highlights the results of UNMIN and OHCHR-Nepal monitoring over the past two weeks, related to violence by groups opposed to the election, violations of the electoral code of conduct and of human rights, and arms monitoring.
The UNMIN has made several recommendations for action to improve conditions for the election.
" Nepal is today better positioned than at any time since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in November 2006 to hold a credible Constituent Assembly election, a critical milestone in the peace process. Significant political hurdles that had seriously threatened to derail the process have been overcome, although not entirely removed," the report says.
Though happy at the gradual improvement in security in Terai, it has expressed concern over activities of armed groups. "In the past two weeks the activities of forces opposed to these agreements, particularly the armed groups, has intensified. There has been an upsurge of killings, violence, intimidation against candidates and voters and threats to disrupt the electoral process. On 29 February the Janatantrik Madhesi Mukti Morcha, Jwala Singh faction (JTMM-JS) issued a statement outlining a series of actions it said it plans to carry out to disrupt the election, and on 13 March four other armed groups issued a statement making similar threats: both statements threatened physical action against candidates and others engaged in the election. Other armed groups have expressed willingness to engage in dialogue with the Government," the report says.
It has also expressed concerns over pressures applied on some candidates to withdraw from the election fray. "Several candidates have reported receiving death threats over the telephone and candidates' houses and party offices have been targeted with improvised explosive devices (IEDs). On 18 March, Kamal Adhikari, the Rastriya Janamorcha candidate for Banke-2 constituency was assassinated: the JTMM-JS was the first group to claim responsibility, but there have also been other claims or attributions of responsibility. On 19 March, Ashok Kumar Yadav, a candidate of the Communist Party of Nepal - Unified Marxist-Leninist (UML) was stabbed in Saptari-2 constituency, allegedly by the Akhil Tarai Mukti Morcha (formerly JTMM-Goit). A number of armed groups took responsibility for the detonation of IEDs at or near government, party and media offices, and the residences of candidates and government officials. Such explosions have been particularly prevalent in the eastern Terai. The situation risks becoming increasingly volatile."
It has also drawn the attention towards the violations of code of conduct. "The electoral campaign is increasingly taking a violent turn, with daily reports of clashes between party supporters, use of other forms of violence, intimidation and threats. There is growing evidence of action by CPN-M cadres, including members of the Young Communist League (YCL), to restrict in various ways freedom of assembly of other parties in different areas of Darchula, Dhankuta, Sindhulpalchowk, Chitwan, Bardiya, Baitadi, Lalitpur, Okhaldunga, Gorkha, Kaski, Kalikot, Dhading, Salyan, among others. This has often entailed the use of violence or threat of violence. A repeated warning from CPN-M cadres has been that other parties should not campaign in its "base areas". Voters have been told that the CPN-M will know how they vote and will take action against those who cast their ballot for other parties."
"Widespread concern about booth-capturing and fear of violence on election day, and after if results are disputed, have been expressed by police, party activists and members of the local population alike, especially in the more remote areas. This "fear factor" could affect voter turnout."
"UNMIN has drawn to the attention of the leadership of the CPN-M that it is inconsistent with this principle that a number of commanders and members of the Maoist army have been nominated and are campaigning as candidates for election without having been discharged from the Maoist army," the report further complains.
