ELECTIONS IN NEPAL?
Nepalis shun polls amid violence.
Security was tight for the elections. Nepalese police have shot dead an opposition activist during controversial local elections, a year after King Gyanendra seized power. One other protester was wounded when police opened fire in south-western Dang district, the authorities say. Turnout was low amid an opposition boycott and a strike ordered by rebels, which was called off as polls closed. The US criticised the elections, calling them a "hollow attempt to legitimise power" by the king. At least three people died in two separate clashes between troops and Maoist rebels, officials said. The opposition activist died from his injuries after being shot in the town of Tribhuvan Nagar in Dang, officials said. When the political parties are not participating what is the use of having elections? These elections are unwanted Kamal Prasad Joshi, voter.
Security was tight for the elections. Nepalese police have shot dead an opposition activist during controversial local elections, a year after King Gyanendra seized power. One other protester was wounded when police opened fire in south-western Dang district, the authorities say. Turnout was low amid an opposition boycott and a strike ordered by rebels, which was called off as polls closed. The US criticised the elections, calling them a "hollow attempt to legitimise power" by the king. At least three people died in two separate clashes between troops and Maoist rebels, officials said. The opposition activist died from his injuries after being shot in the town of Tribhuvan Nagar in Dang, officials said. When the political parties are not participating what is the use of having elections? These elections are unwanted Kamal Prasad Joshi, voter.
In pictures: Nepal election
What now for Nepal?
Q&A: Democracy
The defence ministry said protesters had attacked and injured security personnel guarding a polling station. Security forces had been told to shoot anyone trying to disrupt voting. There were many reports of opposition supporters being arrested in connection with election-related protests. Initial estimates put voter turnout at about 10%. Chief Election Commissioner Keshav Raj Rajbhandari in a television broadcast gave an estimate of 20%, but said the figure was still being calculated.
Both the opposition and the Maoist rebels, who had threatened attacks against those taking part, said the election was a sham to try to entrench the king's direct rule. As soon as polls closed, rebel leader Prachanda called off the week-long shutdown three days early, saying it had achieved its aim of disrupting the vote. US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack also condemned the vote, and said the only way to deal with the Maoist threat was to restore democracy.
Turnout was thin in the capital and elsewhereThe BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says King Gyanendra will be disappointed by the outcome. Most people eligible to vote appear to have been deterred by the opposition boycott or the rebel threats. Our correspondent says at one polling station he visited in the capital voters were outnumbered by security forces. Most observers say anything approaching a free and fair election is impossible given Nepal's security situation. Maoists were blamed for killing at least two candidates and attacking others in the run-up to the vote. More than 600 candidates withdrew. Those remaining were advised to report to paramilitary camps or safe houses. The lack of candidates meant voting took place in just 36 out of 58 towns and cities, either because there were no candidates or candidates stood unopposed in 22 municipalities.
Local and parliamentary elections have been due for three years and this was the first national vote since 1999. The king has promised a general election by April 2007. Violence has risen sharply since the rebels called off a four-month ceasefire in early January. On Wednesday, officials said two people had died in clashes between troops and rebels in the eastern town of Dhankuta. Earlier reports that nine had been killed could not be confirmed. The rebels are said to have abducted 15 government officials and security personnel in a massive attack hours before the polls opened. Later in the day, the government said one Maoist rebel had been killed in another clash in western Kailali district. More than 13,000 people have died in Nepal since the revolt began in 1995.
Both the opposition and the Maoist rebels, who had threatened attacks against those taking part, said the election was a sham to try to entrench the king's direct rule. As soon as polls closed, rebel leader Prachanda called off the week-long shutdown three days early, saying it had achieved its aim of disrupting the vote. US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack also condemned the vote, and said the only way to deal with the Maoist threat was to restore democracy.
Turnout was thin in the capital and elsewhereThe BBC's Charles Haviland in Kathmandu says King Gyanendra will be disappointed by the outcome. Most people eligible to vote appear to have been deterred by the opposition boycott or the rebel threats. Our correspondent says at one polling station he visited in the capital voters were outnumbered by security forces. Most observers say anything approaching a free and fair election is impossible given Nepal's security situation. Maoists were blamed for killing at least two candidates and attacking others in the run-up to the vote. More than 600 candidates withdrew. Those remaining were advised to report to paramilitary camps or safe houses. The lack of candidates meant voting took place in just 36 out of 58 towns and cities, either because there were no candidates or candidates stood unopposed in 22 municipalities.
Local and parliamentary elections have been due for three years and this was the first national vote since 1999. The king has promised a general election by April 2007. Violence has risen sharply since the rebels called off a four-month ceasefire in early January. On Wednesday, officials said two people had died in clashes between troops and rebels in the eastern town of Dhankuta. Earlier reports that nine had been killed could not be confirmed. The rebels are said to have abducted 15 government officials and security personnel in a massive attack hours before the polls opened. Later in the day, the government said one Maoist rebel had been killed in another clash in western Kailali district. More than 13,000 people have died in Nepal since the revolt began in 1995.
BBC NEWS REPORT.
posted by jackaranda at 11:41 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home