Everest 2008: Nepal Heads to the Polls After Six Decades of Bloodshed

April 10, 2008

Prime Minister Girij Prasad Koirala cast the first vote of an estimated 17.6 million people today as Nepal was finally able to host an election first discussed back in 1950.

India eNews reports that 20,000 polling booths opened across Nepal in over 240 different constituences in 75 districts. 60,000 security personnel and 55,000 temporary staff were deployed around the clock to ensure a free and fair election.

What’s at stake?

The royal family of Nepal, now led by King Gyanendra, will soon know if they will still be in power–a reign that has lasted since the 18th Century. Also at stake in Nepal’s election is the possibility that a faction, once known as terrorists, could come out on top. Over recent years, the Maoist Guerrillas have threatened and intimidated their way to a prominent voice in Nepal.

The Communist Party of Nepal, as the Maoists have called themselves, have tried to take up arms and dethrone the Royal Family in the past. This could definately be a test for both sides, as each think it has the higher calling.

From India eNews:

“Nepal has adopted a mixed system to elect the 601-member constituent assembly. While
240 seats would be elected on the basis of a direct fight, 335 would be
chosen on the basis of proportional representation with the remaining
26 to be nominated by the PM.

Within 21 days of the announcement
of results, the constituent assembly would have to hold its first
meeting and declare if Nepal is to remain a kingdom or become a
republic.

In December the Maoists forced parliament to proclaim
Nepal a federal republic with the proviso that it would be implemented
after it was endorsed by the election.

With all of the strife in the region over the past six decades, hopefully this will come out as a good thing for the people of Nepal–with them making the right choice without fear of persecution or intimidation, and will hopefully lead to less bloodshed between the warring factions. I guess we will have to wait and see how this turns out, but preliminary results could be had as early as Friday.

Climbers arriving in Kathmandu–then heading to Basecamp–have not reported anything unusual, or anything that would suggest, that at this time, Nepal is calm. I think everyone has looked forward to this for so long, that it could only be a good thing.

Speaking of the climbers heading to Everest, it is known that preliminary permits were issued. The reasoning given to many of the teams were that the authorities wanted to await the elections–see who comes to power, then evaluate the decisions for the Final say. Hopefully things will continue to go as planned.

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