Former US president Jimmy Carter his stance on the 2008 CA election at a press conference in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon. “While the election might not have been perfect, it adequately represented marginalised groups and I still stick to what I said about the 2008 CA elections: they were free and fair,” explained Carter, who was the first international observer to declare the elections ‘free and fair’.

Carter expressed unhappiness regarding the failure of political parties to draft the constitution. “It is disappointing that the constitution couldn’t be drafted through political consensus in the last four years, but I hope the country will go to polls by the end of this year,” he said.

During his four day visit, Carter met leaders of major political parties - both for and against elections - to gauge their views on the upcoming polls. Highlighting the kidnapping of three Election Commission officials by CPN-Maoist activists in Nuwakot, Carter emphasised that those obstructing elections should be brought to justice. “Resorting to violence to achieve political goals is unacceptable,” he states. Carter also said that he hoped the agitating parties would eventually comply and be part of the election.

While there are still uncertainties regarding what might happen after the election, the former president stressed on the need to hold local elections immediately. “Local elections are long overdue and they need to take place immediately after national elections,” he said.

He also expressed the need for greater gender equality in Nepal especially when it comes to issues like grating children citizenship through their mother and violence against women. “Leaders need to ensure equal citizenship rights in Nepal. Women shouldn’t be made to go through so much trouble just to provide children citizenship,” he said.

The former US president assured the Carter Centre would be closely observing the polls to ensure fair elections. Carter left for Myanmar on Monday evening after his Nepal visit.

Former US President Jimmy Carter maintained his stance on the 2008 CA elections at a press conference in Kathmandu on Monday afternoon. “While the election might not have been perfect, it adequately represented marginalised groups and I still stick to what I said about the 2008 CA elections: they were free and fair,” explained Carter, who was the first international observer to declare the elections ‘free and fair’.

Carter expressed unhappiness regarding the failure of political parties to draft the constitution. “It is disappointing that the constitution couldn't be drafted through political consensus in the last four years, but I hope the country will go to polls by the end of this year,” he said.

During his four day visit, Carter met leaders of major political parties - both for and against elections - to gauge their views on  upcoming polls. Highlighting the kidnapping of three Election Commission officials by CPN-Maoist activists in Nuwakot, Carter emphasised that those obstructing elections should be brought to justice.

“Resorting to violence to achieve political goals is unacceptable,” he states. Carter also said that he hoped the agitating parties would eventually comply and be part of the election.

While there are still uncertainties regarding what might happen after the election, Carter stressed on the need to hold local elections immediately. “Local elections are long overdue and they need to take place immediately after national elections,” he said.

He also expressed the need for greater gender equality in Nepal especially when in issues like granting children citizenship through their mother and violence against women. “Leaders need to ensure equal citizenship rights. Women shouldn't be made to go through so much trouble just to provide children citizenship,” he said.

The former president assured the Carter Centre would be closely observing the polls to ensure fair elections. He left for Myanmar on Monday evening after completing his Nepal visit.