VOA常速英语2008年-International Observers Call Nepal Election Cre

Allegations of intimidation¹ of voters and other problems are tainting² an otherwise positive assessment³ of Nepal's election. Initial results show the former Maoist rebels performing much better than expected in polling that will decide the future of the Himalayan country. VOA correspondent Steve Herman in Kathmandu reports international observers are weighing in with their views following the election.

International election observers in Nepal on Saturday described the historic polling as credible⁴. But their reports note a range of problems from voters being intimidated⁵ to young children casting ballots⁷.

The European Union says, so far, the process has passed several international standards.

One of the high-profile observers, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, told a news conference in Kathmandu the election was well-executed.

"From what I've seen so far, with the voting day and the bringing of polling boxes, ballot⁶ boxes to the central stations and the beginning of the counting, all of that, I would say, has been free and fair with some minor⁸ discrepancies⁹ that did not interfere¹⁰ with the ability of the people to make their choices for leadership," he said.

One of the most visible observer groups here, the Asian Network for Free Elections, known as ANFREL, says it is premature¹¹ to declare Nepal's balloting¹² "free and fair." ANFREL's deputy chief of mission, Damaso Magbual from the Philippines, says any such declaration would have to wait until re-polling is conducted this month in problem areas and all the votes are counted.

"As impartial¹³ observers we feel that it may have been flawed in a number of instances, but on the whole, it reflects the will of the people," he said.

ANFREL says all of the major parties engaged in pre-election intimidation, but most incidents were attributed to Maoist cadres.

The former rebels, based on partial results, could emerge as the top party from Thursday's election for a constituent¹⁴ assembly. They are in contention¹⁵ for the top spot with the centrist Nepali Congress Party.

The Maoists have won or are leading in about half of the constituencies whose ballots are being tabulated¹⁶ so far. Local media quote top Maoist leaders predicting they will secure a majority of the 601 seats for the special assembly.

The Maoists waged a protracted¹⁷ civil war against the government, calling for the monarchy¹⁹ to be abolished. The former rebels signed a peace pact²⁰ in late 2006 and agreed to participate in the democratic process.

The few parties backing Nepal's King Gyanendra have fared poorly.

The constituent assembly, when it finally convenes²¹, is to write a new constitution. But its first act will be to formally declare Nepal a republic, meaning the already sidelined and unpopular monarch¹⁸ has little hope of ever regaining²² power.