Nepal Project

Working with the Carter Center

In April 2008, Dee Aker, Interim Executive Director, served as a short-term observer with The Carter Center’s international election observation mission in Nepal. The Carter Center advised: “the election in Nepal [is] a critical step for the consolidation of multi-party democracy. Following the April 2006 People’s Movement (Jana Andolan II), one of the major components of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed by the Seven-Party Alliance government and the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) (CPN (M)) was an agreement to hold an election for a Constituent Assembly. A strong international observer presence may help build confidence in the ongoing electoral process, and, if necessary, help mediate acceptance of credible election results.

The Government of Nepal, including the CPN (M), have welcomed international delegations and have specifically extended an invitation to The Carter Center, together with other international and domestic observers. The Election Commission and other stakeholders have also welcomed [this] involvement. Given past experience and the current political climate in Nepal, some level of electoral violence is likely. The presence of a Carter Center delegation could prove critical in reducing tensions and in encouraging a peaceful electoral process.

The Center’s international election observation mission in Nepal will be led by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, Mrs. Rosalynn Carter, and former Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand Dr. Surakiart Sathirathai. Additionally, the Center’s observation presence will include over 60 international observers representing more than 20 different nationalities. The observers will deploy throughout Nepal in order to get a sense of the overall electoral environment in the days prior to, including, and immediately after the constituent assembly election. The Center has had an observation presence in Nepal of 13 Long-Term Observers since late February 2007.”