Скачать с ютуб NEPAL: ELECTIONS HELD AMID TIGHT SECURITY AND CURFEWS в хорошем качестве

NEPAL: ELECTIONS HELD AMID TIGHT SECURITY AND CURFEWS

(3 May 1999) English/Nat Nepali voters went to the polls on Monday amid tight security and curfews after clashes at the weekend between Maoist rebels and police left eight people dead. Cars, buses and other vehicles were banned from the streets - police told voters to leave guns at home and walk to polling stations for Nepal's third election in eight years. Analysts say neither of the main parties, the centrist Nepali Congress and the Communist United Marxist-Leninist (U-M-L) , is likely win a clear majority in the 205 seat parliament. Nepal has an electorate of 13-point-5 (m) million. Despite gun-mounted military jeeps patrolling Kathmandu, the atmosphere in the capital was calm as people cast their ballots in the first round of the elections. Rampant corruption, stagnant development and the Maoist insurgency are the key issues troubling the people, as well as local issues such as water shortages. Many voters were pessimistic, expecting the 30 parties vying for representation in the 205-seat parliament to produce another hung legislature or weak government. The two main parties, the Nepali Congress Party and the U-M-L are partners in the present caretaker administration. Political stability is foremost on the main candidates' agenda. SOUNDBITE: (English) "That's what we are fighting for - stability. This is what the people want. And this time the Kathmandu people have realised that (the instability is because) they didn't vote for Nepali Congress in the last election. This time they are going to vote for the Nepali Congress." SUPER CAPTION: P-L Singh, Nepali Congress Party candidate (former mayor of Kathmandu) The last election, in 1994, brought a splintered lower house of parliament and ushered in four and a half years of political instability and relative neglect of a slowing economy. There have been six wobbly coalition or minority governments since 1994. This time both parties hope to win enough seats to form a clear majority. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I think its certain that there will be a U-M-L government- majority government. (Q: And do you think this will end the political instability that we have here?) A: "Definitely, we are hoping for that." SUPER CAPTION: Mangal Siddhi, U-M-L candidate A poll showed the centrist Nepali Congress slightly ahead of the U-M-L , which suffered a major split since the last elections. But many believe the U-M-L has overcome its internal difficulties, and could win the first round. SOUNDBITE: (English) "I am here to exercise my voting rights. (Q: Do you think this will end the instability in the country?) A: "Certainly, certainly (this is why) we are here." (Q: Who do you think will win?) A: "In my personal opinion it will be U-M-L." SUPER CAPTION: Vox Pop, voter More than 10 percent of voters had cast ballots during the first two hours in downtown Kathmandu. In villages, the voters trekked up to 5 kilometers (3 miles) through mountainous areas to reach the polls. Because of the need to move the troops around the country to ensure stability during the election, a second round of voting for the other 41 districts will be held on May 17. Results will be announced the following day. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...