Describing the present situation in Nepal as “very very serious”, the Commonwealth has urged the royal government to ensure the involvement of people to restore democracy.
“The situation in Nepal is very very serious,” agency reports Tuesday quoted Commonwealth Secretary General Don Mckinnon as saying.
“We want to see tensions and tempers reduced. For too long now, there has been high level of antagonism in the country,” the chief of the 53-nation organisation, who is currently on a three-day tour to India, said in New Delhi on Tuesday.
He also urged the government to ensure involvement and engagement of people rather than marginalising them. “The Royal government has to engage people so that everyone feels involved and not marginalized,” Mckinnon said.
Referring to the February 8 civic polls in Nepal, Mckinnon said, “There was a turnout of less than 20 percent and no participation of major political parties. It is just not credible”.
The Commonwealth’s criticism follows sharp reactions by a large section of the international community, including India, USA and Japan, towards the polls.
Amidst reports of violence and protest from the opposition political parties and the Maoists, the government held municipal elections last Wednesday in 36 municipalities.
The government has officially rebuffed the reactions of the international community saying that no foreign country is supposed to comment on the internal affairs of a sovereign country.