Current Political Situation

In April 2008, Nepal held its first national elections in nine years. The elections were a key milestone in implementing the 2006 peace accord between the government and the Maoist rebels. The newly elected Constituent Assembly (CA) inherits severe unrest in the southern plains, high expectations for political inclusion by historically marginalized groups, and the need to negotiate new political arrangements after a socially and politically destabilizing civil war.

On November 21, 2006, Nepal's government and the Communist Party of Nepal-Maoists (CPN-M) signed the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, officially ending a decade-long civil war. The agreement incorporated the rebels into an appointed interim government and committed the parties to hold elections to a CA, tasked with drafting a new constitution, by the end of June 2007.

June 2007 elections were postponed to November 2007 when the interim parliament failed to pass electoral laws in time for the Election Commission to undertake preparations. The elections were again postponed, to April 2008, after a breakdown of the consensus between the CPN-M and the other parties on the type of electoral system to be used, and whether Nepal should have been immediately declared a republic. In the April 10 polls, the CPN-M defied predictions by becoming the largest party in the CA. Newly-formed parties representing the Madhesi community in the restive southern plains known as the Tarai also did well. Despite serious problems during the campaign and on election day, notably widespread intimidation and violence committed primarily by the Maoist youth wing (YCL) and ongoing turmoil in the Tarai, the major parties accepted the results and pledged to move forward with the peace process.

At its first meeting on May 28, 2008, the CA abolished the 240-year-old Hindu monarchy and declared Nepal a secular republic. Over the coming months, the CA is expected to address a range of issues, including regional autonomy and the status of the Maoist People’s Liberation Army. The CA is responsible for developing a new constitution within two and a half years, in addition to carrying out legislative functions. Meanwhile, political violence and unrest continue to disrupt life and governance in the plains. More broadly, the political parties—long dominated by upper-caste men—are now faced with the challenge of making good on their commitments to deepen democratic participation by women and marginalized ethnic, caste, religious, and regional groups.

NDI Programs

NDI has worked in Nepal since 1994 to strengthen citizen engagement in the political process. The Institute has pursued this goal though pioneering civic education programs, public opinion polling, support to the Election Commission and other stakeholders on understanding election law, and training for political party leaders on organization and leadership skills. From 1997-99, NDI helped the parties train over 4,000 female candidates to run and serve as local elected officials. From 2001-04, NDI built the capacity of parties to develop women political leaders, training almost 11,000 candidates. And in 2006, NDI facilitated the creation of the Multi-Party Women’s Caucus to campaign for women’s issues within political parties and across Nepal.

Most recently, NDI conducted programs to support the April 10, 2008 CA elections. NDI assisted the Democracy and Election Alliance Nepal (DEAN) to train and deploy more than 9,000 non-partisan pollwatchers. NDI also trained some 1,000 master trainers from political parties, who in turn trained local party workers to serve as party polling agents. In the remote Karnali region, NDI ran civic education programs to provide information about democracy and the electoral system, working through thousands of village-level programs organized by local political party, media, and civil society activists. Later, the Institute facilitated a visit to Karnali by national media representatives, who provided extensive coverage of the region and its challenges in the weeks before the election.

Currently, NDI is working with political party activists and, through the Women’s Leadership Academy, women parliamentarians, to enhance their political skills and their ability to deliver services to voters. NDI also partners with the World Food Program to conduct civic education in 28 districts. The program works with food aid recipients and local civil society organizations to increase the capacity of marginalized citizens to participate in the political process. NDI continues to support DEAN’s civic education efforts and is working with the Inter-Party Women's Alliance to strengthen their ability to advocate for increased rights and participation in the political process. The Institute is in ongoing consultations with political parties and elected members to develop party strengthening programs focusing on internal party democracy.

Funding

NDI/Nepal’s programs have been funded by the National Endowment for Democracy, the United States Agency for International Development, the United States Department of State, the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom, and the Canadian International Development Agency, and the World Food Program.

Selected Publications

Report on Focus Group and Survey Research, Oct. 2006 http://www.accessdemocracy.org/library/2122_np_survey_102106.pdf

“The Need for Reconciliation is Immediate,” Statement by Senator Thomas Daschle, July 27, 2005 
http://www.accessdemocracy.org/library/1874_np_daschle_072705.pdf

Testimony before Congressional Human Rights on Recent Development in Nepal, May 25, 2005
http://www.accessdemocracy.org/library/1847_np_testimony_052505.html