The EU election observation mission has gone beyond its mandate to comment on political issues that have already been settled

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) on Wednesday strongly condemned the recommendations made by the European Union Election Observation Mission to Nepal (EUEOM-N) in its final report. The EU mission was present in Nepal between October 25, 2017 and January 3, 2018 at the invitation from the government and Election Commission of Nepal (ECN). MoFA has said the government’s serious attention has been drawn to the conclusions and recommendations of the “Final Report on the House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly Elections” released by the EUEOM-N. MOFA has said some of the recommendations and comments of the report not only undermines the successful holding of smooth, peaceful and impartial elections, but also goes against the scope and norms of international election observation. In its recommendation, EUEOM-N has stressed the need to “review the impact of the quota system on the ethnic composition of the House of Representatives and provincial assemblies and ensure that measures of affirmative action apply only to groups that are the subject of negative discrimination”. This is the first of the 10 recommendations made by the EU election observation mission, which is not only over the top but goes well beyond the mandate.

MoFA, in its release, has said: “This violates the EC Code of Conduct for international observers of the ECN as well as the provisions of the MoU signed between government of Nepal and the European Union before the elections.” “These recommendations and comments were a direct challenge to the provisions of constitution of Nepal which was promulgated in line with the inclusive policy reflective of Nepali social structure by the sovereign decision of Nepali people. “It is unfortunate that the report has made unwarranted comments on political issues that have already been settled,” MoFA said. It has also called upon all concerned to refrain from making such uncalled-for comments. The government has said the historic elections of the HoR and provincial assemblies, which saw high turnout of voters, were the reflection of Nepali people’s long-cherished aspirations for democracy, progress and stability.

EUEOM-N had earlier landed in controversy a week before the general and provincial elections. Three election observers of the European Union – LarjGoran, Eva Suhonnar and a Nepali interpreter PuskarPandey – had visited the Kanchanpur district court, violating election code. They were later barred from monitoring the elections after a local election officer strongly objected to their presence in the district court. To visit the court inquiring about its activities was beyond the mandate given by the ECN. EUEOM-N has also raised the issue of “transparency” regarding the timely publication of all information of public interest. The ECN may have some weaknesses, which it should correct. But the observation missions should have refrained from making a blanket statement like this. The elections were “milestones” in implementing the constitution as well as concluding Nepal’s peace process. The ECN must vigorously resort to vetting process before allowing any institution to monitor elections in the future.

Care for them

More than 300 children with Down syndrome and autism, along with their parents, marched on the Kathmandu streets on Wednesday on the occasion of World Down Syndrome Day to raise public awareness on what Down syndrome is and what it means to have Down syndrome. Down syndrome is a genetic abnormality, in which babies are born with an extra chromosome. There is no official data available on the children with Down syndrome in Nepal, but the cases, according to organisations supporting children with the condition, have been on the rise.

Nepal recognised Down syndrome as a major disease only two years ago. The government allocates Rs 500,000 to the children with the condition every year. But, there have been complaints that the government grant is not reaching the target groups. Children with Down syndrome can work, earn and live independent lives if they get proper training and care. Therefore, apart from the grant, the government also needs to work on building infrastructure—for learning and care—for children with Down syndrome. The government should also maintain data on children with the condition to bring the required policies for them.