SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED BY ELECTION EVE VIOLENCE IN NEPAL; URGES ALL PARTIES TO EXERCISE RESTRAINT, REMAIN CALM

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the violence on the eve of the Constituent Assembly election, including the killing of seven Maoists and a Unified Marxist-Leninist candidate.  He urges all parties to exercise restraint and remain calm while cooperating to allow this election to take place in a peaceful atmosphere.  He expressed appreciation for the strong commitment to the democratic process shown by Nepalese leaders across the political spectrum.  The Nepalese have worked hard to reach this historic moment and deserve a credible ballot to cement democracy in Nepal.