March 21:  The European Union Election Observation Mission (EUEOM) deployed during Nepal's House of Representatives and Provincial Assembly elections has submitted its final report suggesting 29 proposals to reform the electoral process.

The chief observer of the EUEOM, Zeljana Zovko, presented the final report to the Government of Nepal, the Election Commission of Nepal, political parties, observer groups, and civil society amid a press conference held in the capital on Tuesday, March 20.

“I am very pleased to present our final report as it brings together the findings and analysis of our observations over the period the mission was in Nepal, as well as comprehensive recommendations for future elections," stated Zovko. She further explained that the European Union remained committed to work with Nepalese partners on strengthening the democratic process of the country and would continue to take keen interest in electoral reform Nepal in coming days.

According to the report, the overall elections concluded on November 26 and December 7 indicated a key milestone in the implementation of the Constitution of Nepal 2015, with the legal framework providing a good basis for the conduct of elections. However, a great deal of the body of electoral law was enacted less than three months before the election, which meant that there was insufficient time for dissemination, reads the report.  

The report showed some weak areas during the campaign stating that although the Election Commission of Nepal (ECN) performed its duties impartially, there lacked transparency in its work. There was no mechanism for regular consultations with election stakeholders, and the ECN failed to publish critical information on polling centre turnout and invalid votes. There were also procedural weaknesses, particularly in relation to reconciliation of ballots. Voter education also seemed inadequate to some areas, states the report.

Despite a series of violent attacks on candidates, all the political freedom including right to vote and to stand for election, and freedom of association, assembly and expression prevailed with well respect during the election.