Nepal Maoists demand suspension of vote counting

Nepal's Unified CPN-Maoist today demanded a suspension of the vote counting, alleging conspiracy after initial results showed the party trailing at third position in the Constituent Assembly elections.

"Due to the conspiracy and unusual activities during the constituent assembly elections, counting did not go ahead as per people's expectations and opinions, therefore, we demand that the vote counting be postponed," the party said in a statement.

Maoists chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal, better known as Prachanda, was trailing in his Kathmandu 10 Constituency where Nepali Congress candidate Rajan K C was leading.

Nepali Congress led by Sushil Koirala was leading in 69 constituencies whereas CPN-UML was leading in 58 constituencies and Unified CPN-Maoist in 16 constituencies.

Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum-Nepal and Madhesi Peoples Rights Forum Democratic were leading in 9 and 6 constituencies respectively.

Rastriya Prajatantra Party was leading in 3, Terai Madhes Democratic Party in 2 and Rastriya Prajatantra Party in 1 constituencies, according to the Election Commission sources.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Neel Kantha Uprety told a press conference today that the counting was being carried out in "a transparent manner" and would continue.

"The elections were conducted in a free, fair and fearless manner, so the results must be accepted by all."

However, the Maoist party has decided to call back its representatives from counting process after holding its central committee meeting.

Uprety urged "the political parties, civil society members and international community to show patience and wait until the final results were out."

He also asked the political parties to honour the peoples' verdict expressed through secret voting procedures.

Meanwhile, the NC registered first victory, with party candidate Tek Bahadur Gurung defeating his nearest rival Tripal Gurung of Rastriya Prajatantra Party in mountainous Manang district, according to the party sources. However, the Election Commission is yet to formally announce the results.

The counting will lead to the formation of a 601-member assembly to draft a new Constitution, including 240 elected under a direct voting system.

There was proportionate voting for 335 seats and the remaining 26 members will be nominated by the government.

In the previous Constituent Assembly elections in 2008, UCPN-M had emerged as the largest party with NC and CPN –UML in second and third place.