Media release

4 April 2008

Australia to Send Observers to Nepal’s Elections

I am pleased to announce that the Australian government will be sending a team of election observers to help monitor the upcoming elections in Nepal on 10 April.

These will be Nepal’s first elections since 1999, and will be a key step in Nepal’s peace process and political transformation. Successful elections and the formation of a constituent assembly will strengthen the country’s economic development prospects after a long civil conflict.

Led by Mr Mark Butler MP, the delegation includes Dr Andrew Laming MP, and Dr Christopher Drury from the Australian Electoral Commission.

The Australian delegation will complement the work of domestic election monitors and other observers from overseas, including from South Asia, the EU, Japan, Thailand, the International Crisis Group, and the Carter Centre.

Australia will also be assisting the Nepalese elections through the provision of indelible identification ink. This will help to identify Nepali citizens who have already voted.

The elections are crucial to Nepal’s transition to a stable polity and I call on all political parties to ensure that they are held peacefully. I urge all political parties to respect the results of the elections as reflecting the wishes of the people of Nepal.

Australia has a longstanding and cordial relationship with Nepal, underpinned by education and people-to-people links and development cooperation. This year Australia will provide development assistance in the areas of education, health, infrastructure and governance.

Media inquiries: Mr Smith's office 02 6277 7500 - Departmental Media Liaison 02 6261 1555