EU hails successful election of constituent assembly in Nepal

EU High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Catherine Ashton on Thursday welcomed "the successful poll of 19 November 2013 in Nepal which marks a further step in the consolidation of its democratic transition." "I congratulate the people of Nepal for having exercised their right to vote in large numbers, despite attempts to prevent them from doing so," she stated in a statement. With these elections, the people of Nepal have now given a clear mandate to the new Constituent Assembly to complete the drafting of the Constitution, she said. Ashton expressed confidence that the new Assembly will assume its responsibility and promptly deliver on this crucial task, so that the political stalemate can be overcome, legitimate and effective institutions put in place and local elections held as soon as possible.