The United Nations Monday welcomed the Nepalese government's announcement of the date for a key election describing it as a crucial step in the peace process, according to dpa. The Nepalese government on Sunday set November 22 as the date for a key election to choose an assembly and draft a new constitution and vote on the future of monarchy. "This is a critical step in the peace process, and indicates the strong commitment of the political parties to work together to fulfil the historic promise to the people of Nepal to form a democratically elected Constituent Assembly," the United Nations Missions in Nepal (UNMIN) said. However, the UN has warned that country faced major challenges in holding a free and fair ballot in view of the deteriorating law and order situation in southern Nepal. "Public security continues to be a fundamental challenge, the UNMIN said. "This requires not just a plan for security at the time of the election itself, but the creation of conditions which allows all parties to conduct their activities from now on without facing intimidation and violence." UNMIN said the government must take into confidence marginalized groups seeking a fair share in the peace process and governance. Constituent Assembly election is a key part of the peace agreement between the Nepalese government and the Maoist former rebels signed last November to end the country's long running insurgency. The agreement allowed the Maoists to join the interim parliament and the interim government. Nearly 15,000 people have died in the decade long violence.
