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| Afghanistan/South Asia |
| Nepal to hold municipal polls by April 2006 |
| 2005-09-22 |
| UNITED NATIONS - Seven months after Nepalâs king seized absolute power, a government minister announced that the country will hold municipal elections by April 2006 and national elections within two years. Foreign Minister Ramesh Nath Pandey told the U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday that King Gyanendraâs commitment to multiparty democracy âis unflinching and total.â In a speech to the General Assemblyâs annual ministerial meeting, Pandey said the king âis determined to re-energize multiparty democratic institutions by restoring sustainable peace, and making democracy meaningful, matured, cultured and refined.â âTo this end, we will be holding municipal elections by April 2006, to be followed by national elections to parliament within two years. This will be an important step forward in re-energizing the democratic institutions through free and fair elections,â Pandey said. Pandey urged countries and organizations that support democracy âto come forward and help us to conduct free and fair elections.â In his speech, Pandey said people have the right to choose the system of democratic government that is best suitable to the countryâs âneeds and aspirations.â |
| Posted by:Steve White |