Diplomats call for free and fair election

Kathmandu, Apr 8 (UNI) Kathmandu-based foreign diplomatic missions have issued a joint statement today calling for free and fair election to the Constituent Assembly on April 10.

''We, as friends of Nepal, look forward to Thursday's CA elections. This is a historic opportunity for the Nepali people to consolidate the peace process and to create a more democratic, inclusive future for their country,'' a joint statement from 15 nations and the European Commission stated here.

''We urge all parties to remain patient and abide by the established mechanisms for dispute settlement, till the formation of the Constituent Assembly,'' they said and asked the people to cooperate with the Interim Government and with one another to ensure a smooth transition to the new legislature and government.

At the same time, the foreign missions expressed deep concern over the reports of election-related violence and intimidation in different parts of the country.

''We are deeply concerned by the election-related killings, abductions, disturbances and intimidation which continue to take place in parts of the country, despite the agreement among the party leaders to end the violence,'' they said in the statement.

The diplomats also said that they were glad to support the elections politically, diplomatically, financially and through the deployment of impartial international observers.

''It is essential that all international and domestic observers are able to do their job in safety, without obstruction or interference,'' the statement read.

The joint statement was issued by the diplomatic missions of United Kingdom, United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Russia, Switzerland and European Commission.

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