Archive ref no: NCA-20084
Statement by the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kathmandu, February 11, 2006
His Majesty's Government of Nepal finds the statements made by a few countries on the municipal elections in Nepal as totally objectionable thus unacceptable and asks them to refrain from making such insolent comments on matters that fall essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of a sovereign country.
His Majesty's Government firmly believes that municipal elections were a clear popular victory against terror that has derailed democracy for years. The elections were held against the backdrop of the killing of some candidates and persistent threats to kill more, physical obstructions restricting the movement of candidates and voters. The successful holding of elections without any incidents of rigging, booth capturing and manipulation during the polls underline the sanctity of the elections. The people of Nepal have indomitably thwarted all attempts aimed at constraining the exercise of their fundamental democratic right.
Demanding democracy and criticizing the polls aimed at restoring democracy is nothing more than a paradox in itself. His Majesty's Government finds it incomprehensible why some countries have gone to the extent of deploring the municipal elections instead of appreciating the sincere efforts made to put derailed democracy back on track after a gap of seven years. His Majesty's Government strongly calls for the avoidance of double standards by those who maintain it in dealing with such critical issues as democracy and terrorism.
His Majesty's Government staunchly believes that there are no other means except elections to reenergizing democracy in Nepal. Elections alone can provide constitutional legitimacy to power. His Majesty's Government would be grateful to be enlightened if there is a substitute for elections in a democracy. The political parties were not debarred from participating in the municipal polls. In fact, they were repeatedly asked to participate in the polls to establish them through ballots. By putting aside their faith in democracy, they themselves decided in advance to actively boycotting the polls and vowed to disrupt the polls at any cost. Such behaviours will in no way be helpful to democracy.