At a press briefing in Washington DC on Thursday, Spokesperson for the U S Department of State Jennifer R Psaki said US welcomes the announcement by the Interim Election Council of Ministers in Nepal that Constituent Assembly elections will take place on November 19.
“Since the dissolution of the previous Constituent Assembly more than a year ago, we have encouraged the Government of Nepal to take this important step. We congratulate the people of Nepal as they prepare for free, fair, and inclusive elections, which are the hallmark of every democracy,” she said.
Psaki also said the US remains committed to supporting Nepal´s election preparations.
Likewise, in a separate press statement, Spokesperson for the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Catherine Ashton said the High Representative congratulates the people of Nepal on the decisive step towards holding elections on November 19. “The consolidation of transition in Nepal, including the establishment of stable democratically elected institutions, is a pre-requisite for its successful development. At this stage, it is essential to move forward in the electoral process,” she said.
The High Representative has called on all relevant actors to adopt a constructive attitude to ensure the widest possible political commitment for national elections in November and local elections as soon as possible, allowing the people of Nepal to achieve their democratic aspirations. “As a long-standing friend of Nepal, the EU remains ready to extend all its support during the election process and its aftermath, including through the deployment of an Election Observation Mission,” she has further said.
Meanwhile, Norway has congratulated the people of Nepal after the announcement of the date for fresh CA election.
“Election at this moment in time is crucial to bring Nepal back on track for the continuation of a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nepal. We therefore also welcome the decision by the political parties to rise above party politics and come to an agreement that puts the welfare of the nation first,” reads the statement issued by Norwegian embassy in Kathmandu on Friday.
The Norwegian government has also urged all citizens of Nepal to use this opportunity to strengthen democracy by exercising their individual right to vote. “Women and youth constitute more than half the population. We therefore strongly encourage women and youth to cast their vote on the polling day,” the statement said.
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