NEOC at -a-Glance
NEOC, a heterogonous rainbow coalition consisting of all human rights groups, civil society and distinguish individuals, has come into being in pursuant to the values and principles of universal adult suffrage enshrined in the UDHR and ICCPR. NEOC coordinates the election monitoring process in close cooperation with Election Commission and other related governmental and non-governmental institutions engaged in election observation. The activities of NEOC are more than merely observing the actual polls but rather enhance systematic campaign to ensure free, fair, unrigged and peaceful elections. It also sets out to persuade the concerned authorities to enhance freedom of election as an integral part of human rights and democratic development.
Election Monitoring in Nepal
The practice of systematically observing elections by national and international observers in Nepal was incepted by human rights community. The first election with international monitoring mission was organized in 1991 in which more than 72 international and 1500 local monitors observed the elections coordinated by NEOC. In 1994, during the mid-term polls, NEOC hosted more than 130 international and more than 2000 national observers who actively participated in the monitoring process across the country. Similarly, in 1999, NEOC coordinated more than 50 international and almost 3000 national observers to monitor the elections held on two different phases. Similarly, NEOC was reformed in 2002 when the date for the General Elections was announced. However, the elections could not take place in the scheduled time due to extremely difficult political circumstances followed by the undue royal intervention.
CA Election Observation
Monitoring the elections for the upcoming Constituent Assembly is a giant endeavor--a synergy of challenge and opportunity. Obviously, the nature of elections for the constituent assembly is quite different than the conventional system of parliamentary elections. It requires vigorous exercise to understand the complexities associated with the electoral process including the voting techniques as per the provisions in the new laws and directives NEOC is closely looking into all dynamics related to the electoral process. Categorically, it is monitoring within its jurisdiction various problems related to the administration of the elections, selection of candidates, political financing, the behavior of political parties and ways to ensure that voters are sufficiently well informed in the entire electoral process. At this outset, NEOC has invited nearly 100 international observers along with the mobilization of more than 14000 domestic observers in all 75 districts and 240 constituencies in the CA election slated for April 10, 2008.
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