The Long March in Nepal
Nepal's Maoists, former rebels who until two years ago were waging a brutal “people’s” war, will soon lead the next government after winning the country's recent elections. It is to be hoped that they will have the wisdom to listen to Nepal's newly empowered electorate.
KATMANDU – Confounding everyone except themselves, Nepal’s hard-line Maoists have taken a commanding role following the country’s landmark elections. The people of Nepal have more than one reason to celebrate.
The first nationwide poll in nearly a decade passed off relatively well and was endorsed by Nepali officials as well as the hundreds of international election observers. According to former US President Jimmy Carter, the election was the most “transformational” of the many polls he has observed around the world. The high voter turnout, coupled with the relatively peaceful manner in which the election took place, is a testament to the Nepali people’s desire to cement the peace process and contribute in determining the political future of the country.
The Maoists, former rebels who until two years ago were waging a brutal “people’s” war, will soon lead the next government in Nepal. The former rebels have received the maximum number of seats in the constituencies where counting is complete.
KATMANDU – Confounding everyone except themselves, Nepal’s hard-line Maoists have taken a commanding role following the country’s landmark elections. The people of Nepal have more than one reason to celebrate.
The first nationwide poll in nearly a decade passed off relatively well and was endorsed by Nepali officials as well as the hundreds of international election observers. According to former US President Jimmy Carter, the election was the most “transformational” of the many polls he has observed around the world. The high voter turnout, coupled with the relatively peaceful manner in which the election took place, is a testament to the Nepali people’s desire to cement the peace process and contribute in determining the political future of the country.
The Maoists, former rebels who until two years ago were waging a brutal “people’s” war, will soon lead the next government in Nepal. The former rebels have received the maximum number of seats in the constituencies where counting is complete.