UN chief Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed deep concern about the continuing violence in Nepal on the eve of a landmark vote to decide the country's political future and urged all parties to show restraint. "The secretary general is deeply concerned about the violence on the eve of the constituent assembly election," his press office said in a statement.
"He urges all parties to exercise restraint and remain calm while co-operating to allow this election to take place in a peaceful atmosphere," it added. Violence has marred the run-up to the high-stakes election, with police shooting dead seven Maoists involved in clashes with a rival party, plus a man protesting the killing of an election candidate.
Campaigning has also been marred by reports of intimidation by Maoist loyalists, many of whom have failed to adapt to civil life after years spent fighting a bloody guerrilla war.