Nepal's King Calls for General Elections

Nepal's King Gyanendra called for general elections, after facing a series of protests aimed against him ruling the country. The king made the announcement on state television, advising that the elections should be held as soon as possible, but failed to mention a date for the election.

"It is our wish that, in order to re-energize multi-party democracy, there should not be any delay in reactivating all representative bodies through elections. May the efforts at ensuring sustainable peace and meaningful democracy in the interests of the nation and the people bear fruit during the new year," King Gyanendra stated.

This piece of news comes after at least 3 people have been killed in violent pro-democracy protests. Political parties have not yet reacted to the king's proposal, but senior leaders say this is "too little, too late". "The king is not sincere about solving the political problem and the conflict in the country," said Krishna Prasad Sitaula, a top leader of the Nepali Congress, promising to intensify the current protests.

Pro-democracy activists vowed to hold a mass rally today in Kathmandu, in spite of the ban imposed on demonstrations in Nepal's capital. The government announced it was banning strikes in essential services such as transport, hospitals, communication, distribution of fuel, banking and tourism, and warned that violators will be punished.

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Nepal criticized the excessive force used by Nepalese forces against demonstrators. So far, 3 protesters were killed in clashes with security forces throughout the country, and other 1,000 were imprisoned.