Ex-US Prez Jimmy Carter in Nepal, expects peaceful polls

Former US President Jimmy Carter said today he was confident Nepal's crucial Constituent Assembly elections next week will proceed peacefully.
Carter, 89, arrived here today to observe the November 19 polls.
Atlanta-based Carter Center, an international poll observation organisation, headed by the former US President, has mobilised 64 election observers including 12 long-term observers for monitoring the election.
"We have been very pleased at the preparations for the election.
"We have great confidence... That the people of Nepal will orchestrate a very successful and honest and fair and a peaceful election," he told reporters.
The Carter Center had also sent its observers to monitor the first Constituent Assembly polls in Nepal in 2008. Carter had also visited Nepal then.

An international delegation of observers led by Carter will meet top government officials including chairman of the Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi and Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety during the visit.

He is also scheduled to meet senior political leaders, civil society members and journalists in Nepal.
The European Union (EU) has already deployed 100 election observers across the country.
The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has said that he has been highly encouraged by Nepal's preparations for the upcoming Constituent Assembly polls on November 19.
Ban, in a statement, appealed to all stakeholders in Nepal to conduct the Constituent Assembly elections peacefully and redouble the efforts in the urgent task of writing the constitution.

"Moon has been greatly encouraged by the commitment and professionalism with which the government, the Election Commission and the political parties have engaged in the process, despite challenges," said the UN Secretary General's spokesperson.
"The UN Secretary General has also expressed his commitment to supporting Nepal on its path to a peaceful, prosperous and democratic future," the spokesperson said.