Pics: UN chief greets Nepal for successful assembly elections

United Nations, Nov 21: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon on Wednesday congratulated Nepal for a peaceful and successful conduct of the Constituent Assembly elections.

In a statement issued here by his spokesperson, Ban said that the turnout shows the determination of the Nepalese people to take the peace process forward, Xinhua reported.

"The new Constituent Assembly will have the historic responsibility to complete a new constitution, building upon the impressive gains in the peace process so far, thereby promoting national dialogue and genuine reconciliation," the statement said.

In addition, Ban said that the UN remains committed to supporting Nepal in its transition towards "a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future".

The second Constituent Assembly (CA) election in Nepal peacefully concluded on Tuesday with a purpose of drafting a new constitution after the CA elected in 2008 failed to draft a new constitution.

In Katmandu

Supporters of the Nepali Congress party cheer as leads by their candidates are displayed on a screen outside a vote counting center in Katmandu, Nepal, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013. Election officials on Wednesday began counting votes Nepal's people cast to choose a special assembly to draft a long-delayed constitution and pick a new government.

ELECTIONS IN NEPAL

ELECTIONS IN NEPAL

In Katmandu

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, center, visits a polling station in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. Candidates from more than 100 political parties and several more independent ones are competing in the election. Carter Center, an international poll observation organization, headed by the former president, has mobilized election observers for the election.

In Katmandu

Nepalese armed police force personnel prepare to vote at a polling station in Katmandu, Nepal, Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. Nepalis went to the polls to choose a special assembly to draw up a long-delayed constitution, a step toward stability in a nation still reeling from a 10-year communist revolt and the overthrow of a centuries-old monarchy.

In Katmandu

Nepalese bomb squad members prepare equipment to defuse a pressure cooker bomb found under a bridge on the banks of Bishnumati River in Katmandu, Nepal, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2013. No one has taken responsibility for the bomb which was strong enough to have blown up the bridge, according to the army bomb squad team.

In Katmandu

Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) Chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, center, arrives during an election campaign ahead of the Nov. 19 elections in Katmandu, Nepal, Friday, Nov. 15, 2013. Police said activists attacked a passenger bus defying an opposition-called transport blockade with gasoline bombs. Police believe they were supporters of the alliance of 33 opposition parties who have been attacking vehicles to enforce their nine-day transport blockage since Tuesday aimed at disrupting next week's elections in Nepal.

IANS