Kathmandu, April 17:

The Carter Centre Election Observation Mission in Nepal yesterday urged the government to improve the security environment to ensure a credible electoral process. The centre said this

while releasing its observation report.

“Carter Centre observers report unacceptable levels of continued fear, intimidation and physical violence. The poor law and order situation should be addressed in order to ensure a credible electoral process,” stated a press statement issued by Carter Centre.

It stated that all political parties regardless of their ideology should be allowed to move and campaign freely in Nepal. Stating that the constituent assembly election law and other key legislation and decisions remain outstanding, the Centre urged the interim government to adopt the legal framework that will provide the necessary base for the election commission and other participants to conduct the elections.

It also suggested the government to take extra care to include the perspectives and participation of previously underrepresented groups.

The Centre’s observation mission stated there was a widespread lack of awareness among the Nepali people on the purpose and meaning of the constituent assembly election. “A national voter awareness campaign is necessary to address this gap,” recommended the Centre.

“Seized voter lists, civil unrest in the Tarai, migrant voter issues, problems related to the citizenship process and the lack of a publicly displayed preliminary voter’s list threaten to undermine credibility of the voter register. Wherever feasible, measures must be undertaken to accommodate these concerns or minimise their ultimate impact,” the report said.

While delay beyond June generates understandable uncertainty, a flawed electoral process could also undermine the peace process, stated the Centre.

“The poor law and order situation limits freedom of movement for election and government officials, political parties, and Nepali citizens.”

The Centre has deployed long-term observers representing eight different nationalities throughout the country; these observers visited 50 of 75 districts.