Voters in Nepal trickled into schools, temples and ancient courtyards Wednesday for local elections that were seen by many as the first real test of King Gyanendra's rule since he seized power a year ago.This is a beautiful and proud country of beautiful and kind and diverse people. The richness of the place goes as far down as a Westerner can possibly take it, and as far up. Spending two months there over a decade ago is still one of the most significant experiences of my life. And while most of the world ignores this fourth poorest country, except Everest tourists/climbers, my heart goes out to the Nepalese people. May your country soon return to peace.
Relatively few voters turned up at the polls for the municipal elections after Maoist rebels and political dissidents vowed to disrupt polling, and the government threatened to shoot anyone caught doing so.
Wednesday, February 08, 2006
Nepalese elections
Rough. The poor Nepalese people,... caught between a previously beloved king's current authoritarianism, and a violent Maoist revolt that has grown over the last two decades. It's tough to have an election in these conditions:
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I was there in 1991 for what I think their first elections (in any event, a very big deal). Ancient Dhurbar square was splattered with grafitti and strung with crude banners like a high-school election--with slogans like "Vote for Tree" and "Vote for Sun", mostly with pictures instead of words...I guess because so many are illiterate or because the place is polyglot. I'm with you. My goes out to them. The country took a very scary turn with that bloody regicide and coup d'etat, as it seems it ought to be viewed (fascinating New Yorker article about it, way back when). Recently they shut down cell phones and communication. It's like Nepal is trying to make itself an isolated medieval kingdom again. Except the king still gets satellite TV.
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