Nepal polls huge step towards democracy: UN

Kathmandu, Apr 11: Following the successful conclusion of CA polls on April 10, the United States and the UN today said the country has taken a huge step forward on the path of peace and democracy. "The United States heartily congratulates the people of Nepal on their successful Constituent Assembly election on April 10", US embassy said in a statement issued here.

"After nearly a decade since the last general election and more than half a century of demanding the opportunity to elect representatives to draft a constitution, the voters have spoken,'' it stated. "Despite pre-election violence and intimidation and the regrettable death of candidates and party workers, only a small percentage of polling stations will require re-polling," the statement said.

''Overwhelmingly across the country men and women were able to cast their ballots in a peaceful and orderly way,'' it added. ''This represents an historic achievement and is a tribute to the courage of the Nepali people and the conduct of the Election Commission,'' the statement said. ''Nepal has taken a huge step forward on the path of peace and democracy. In the days and weeks to come as the votes are counted, we urge patience and respect for the results,'' it addedd. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has commended Nepali people for what he called their "enthusiastic participation" in the Constituent Assembly elections.

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mr Moon said the elections ''took place in a generally orderly and peaceful atmosphere.'' He also appealed to all parties to remain calm while awaiting results, that would take several days. Vote counting has begun across the Himalayan country. Nepali Congress candidate Prakash Man Singh won election in Kathmandu constituency 1, defeating CPN, UML candidate.

UNI