The Carter Center has launched an international election observation mission for Nepal’s federal and provincial elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.

This week, 14 long-term observers will join a core team of five experts led by Field Office Director Carlos Valenzuela, it said in a statement on Tuesday. 

“Together, the Carter Center’s observer team represents 13 countries. Observers will meet regularly with representatives of the Election Commission of Nepal, political parties and candidates, civil society organisations, domestic observers, the international community and members of the media,” it said. The Carter Center, whose involvement in Nepal began in 2003, and the Nobel peace laureate Jimmy Carter, former US president who founded the Center, have in the past years worked in Nepal to promote inclusive democracy and lasting peace. 

The Center was invited to observe the two Constituent Assembly elections held in 2008 and 2013. 

After the second CA polls, the Center was invited to observe Nepal’s ongoing peace process and constitutional process, with a focus on local level issues. “The observers will assess electoral preparations and the pre-electoral environment, including election administration, campaigning, voter education and other issues,” the Center said. 

The Center’s long-term observation team will assess the first phase of elections on November 26 and will be joined for the second phase of elections scheduled for December 7 by a larger delegation of observers, who will assess the voting, counting, and tabulation processes. 

“The Carter Center has a long history in Nepal, and we are honoured to be present for the first national-level elections since the adoption of the constitution,” said mbassador Mary Ann Peters, the Carter Center’s CEO. “We trust the elections will be peaceful and will help consolidate Nepal’s democracy,” added Peters.  

The Carter Center said it will assess the electoral process based on Nepal’s national legal framework and its obligations for democratic elections contained in regional and international agreements.