U.S. PROVIDES $3 MILLION TO SUPPORT CA ELECTION

August 10, 2007                                                        

The United States has donated $3 million dollars to support the Constituent Assembly election in Nepal, U.S. Ambassador Nancy J. Powell announced today.  The funds are specifically designated for election ballots, demonstrating continued U.S. support to Nepal, its Election Commission, and the democratic transition.  

“The United States is pleased to provide this support to help Nepal hold its Constituent Assembly election on November 22,” said Ambassador Powell.  “This election is central to Nepal’s successful democratic transition.”  In separate meetings, the Ambassador informed Prime Minister G.P. Koirala and Chief Election Commissioner Bhoj Raj Pokharel of the new U.S. funding for the ballot papers.

The $3 million donation is in addition to the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID) current $3.8 million program in support of the upcoming elections in Nepal. 

Since 1999, USAID has provided support to programs which strengthen the electoral process in Nepal. This has included comprehensive support to the Election Commission to enhance its capacity to design, plan and implement elections in conformity with international standards and best practices. The program has been active throughout Nepal and has increased awareness of election procedures and the electoral process among the district election officials, local political parties, civic leaders and voters.

                                                           

The U.S. Government, through USAID, extends assistance from the American people to peoples of other countries struggling to build better lives. This support ranges from helping to recover from a natural disaster to working to create a free and democratic nation. For 55 years, USAID/Nepal has provided assistance to the people of Nepal in the areas of conflict mitigation and peace building, democracy and governance, health and family planning, economic growth, and disaster and humanitarian aid.