India disappointed over delay of Nepal elections

India feels the postponement of Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal would affect transition to democracy.

India on Friday expressed disappointment over the postponement of Constituent Assembly elections in Nepal, saying it would affect transition to democracy in the Himalayan nation.

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"We are disappointed at the postponement of the elections in Nepal, which has occurred for the third time. The repeated postponement of elections erodes credibility and affects the process of democratic transformation and legitimisation in Nepal," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said in the Capital.

He said India hoped that the special session of the Interim Parliament will address all relevant issues democratically to enable the people of Nepal to choose their own future and the manner of their governance, through a free and fair election process.

Nepal's Constituent Assembly elections were put off indefinitely as the Maoists refused to budge from their key pre-conditions -- declaring the country a republic and changing the electoral system -- for taking part in the crucial polls.

New date for the polls, which were earlier slated to be held on November 22, is expected be decided at the next meeting of the seven-party ruling alliance.

The polls were earlier slated to be held in June but were put off after the Election Commission cited lack of time for making preparations.