Hugo Swire welcomes election date for Nepal
Foreign Office Minister for South Asia Hugo Swire has welcomed the announcement of a date for elections in Nepal.
Hugo Swire said:
“I welcome the announcement made by the Interim Election Council (IEC) in Nepal to hold elections in November 2013. This is a positive step forward for the government and people of Nepal. I commend the efforts of the IEC and Election Commission so far in ensuring preparations for free, credible, democratic and inclusive elections. As a longstanding friend of Nepal, the UK will support in any way we can.”
Nepal’s Interim Electoral Council (IEC) took office in mid-March after a prolonged period of stalemate following the dissolution of the Constituent Assembly (CA) in May 2012. Since the IEC took office, the UK has stressed the importance of setting a date for elections. The UK is planning to support domestic, regional and international observers, responsible media reporting on elections and a programme to increase the number of women CA members elected. Once a Constituent Assembly is voted in, the final stage will be to agree a constitution which allows for a more inclusive and federal state in Nepal.
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