Maoists makes more gains in Nepal poll
Nepal’s Maoist former rebels continued today to sweep initial results announced in elections key to a peace process that saw them give up their 10-year armed revolt.
The ex-rebels, formally known as the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist), won 44 seats out of 79 in constituencies where counting had been completed.
The Maoists were leading in most of the other areas where votes were still being counted, according to the electoral commission.
The traditionally powerful, centrist Nepali Congress was trailing with only 12 seats and the Communist Party of Nepal (United Marxist-Leninist) had 14 seats.
The Maoists’ leader, Prachanda, whose rebel nom de guerre means “the fierce one,” won a seat representing Katmandu, the capital, yesterday.
“This victory is a command by the Nepali people to establish lasting peace,” the 54-year-old former rebel leader told reporters after the result was announced.
“We are fully committed to the peace process and multiparty democracy and to rebuild this country.”
Complete results for the 601-seat Constituent Assembly are still a few weeks off, although officials say they should have a clear picture of what the assembly will look like later this coming week.
