Nepal polls would be most closely observed: UNMIN chief

The chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Ian Martin has said that the Constituent Assembly elections on April 10 would be the most closely watched and therefore, all political parties were expected to respect the Code of Conduct governing the poll.

Kathmandu, Apr 1 : The chief of the United Nations Mission in Nepal (UNMIN), Ian Martin has said that the Constituent Assembly elections on April 10 would be the most closely watched and therefore, all political parties were expected to respect the Code of Conduct governing the poll.

"I would remind everyone that this will be the most closely observed election that I think there has ever been in Nepal, with more than 700 international observers as well as thousands of national observers," he said in a meeting in Biratnagar

"The parties must respect the right of other parties to campaign freely in any district, any village that they wish to do so in the country," he added.

He also said that he had discussions with Maoist Chairman Prachanda regarding the issue of armed Maoists leaving the cantonments, and had been told that they would keep within its limits.

"Prachanda gave me an assurance that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) would not leave the cantonments without permission and those who are already on leave have been ordered to return to the cantonments. He also assured me of cooperation with the head counts that UNMIN's arms monitors are now conducting at cantonments, " Martin said.

ANI