KATHMANDU (15 Nov 2017) — The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission to Nepal’s Nov. 26 and Dec. 7 parliamentary and provincial elections.
This week, 14 long-term observers will join a core team of five experts led by Field Office Director Carlos Valenzuela. Together, the Carter Center’s observer team represents 13 countries. Observers will meet regularly with representatives of the Election Commission of Nepal, political parties and candidates, civil society organizations, domestic observers, the international community, and members of the media. They will assess electoral preparations and the pre-electoral environment, including election administration, campaigning, voter education, and other issues.
The long-term observation team will assess the first phase of elections on Nov. 26 and will be joined for the Dec. 7 second phase of elections by a larger delegation of observers, who will assess the voting, counting, and tabulation processes.
“The Carter Center has a long history in Nepal, and we are honored to be present for the first national-level elections since the adoption of the constitution,” said Ambassador (ret.) Mary Ann Peters, the Carter Center’s CEO. “We trust the elections will be peaceful and will help consolidate Nepal’s democracy.”
The Carter Center will assess the electoral process based on Nepal’s national legal framework and its obligations for democratic elections contained in regional and international agreements. The Center previously observed Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal in 2008 and 2013. The Center has observed 105 elections in 39 countries and conducts its observation mission in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.