Election official says turnout was more than 70 percent in Nepal elections скачать в хорошем качестве

Election official says turnout was more than 70 percent in Nepal elections

(19 Nov 2013) Voter turnout in the Nepali elections were more than 70 percent, the largest in the nation's history, according to Chief Election Commissioner, Nil Kantha Upreti on Tuesday. Nepal has 12 million registered voters. Voters went to the polls to choose a special assembly to draw up a long-delayed constitution. The assembly will double as the parliament and choose a government. It's seen as a step towards stability in a nation still reeling from a 10-year communist revolt and the overthrow of a centuries-old monarchy. "I feel extremely happy to declare that the elections held today were free and fair, despite all the challenges and hurdles," Upreti said. However,the elections have been marred by sporadic violence. A homemade bomb exploded outside a polling station in the capital, Kathmandu, on Tuesday. Three people were injured in the blast, including an eight-year-old boy who was seriously wounded. Opposition activists who do not recognise Nepal's interim government vowed to disrupt the polls, and at least 30 people have been wounded in small bomb blasts during the election period. Some of the political disagreements centre on whether to divide the country into a federal system based on ethnic groups or strictly by geography. But the parties mostly disagree over who gets to lead the nation. Analysts say none of the political parties is likely to get a majority, which could keep the country in a state of political paralysis. The first round of results are expected on Wednesday. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...