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 08 September 2008 13:15 BST

Nepal's Maoists take unexpected advantage in poll results

Saturday, 12 Apr 2008 18:12
Another step on the long road to change in Nepal
Nepal's former militant Maoist group has taken an early lead in results from Thursday's elections.

The Himalayan country is choosing members for its 601-seat constituent assembly after Maoists agreed to end more than a decade of conflict in November 2006.

Over 13,000 people were killed in the Maoist insurgency but, in a switch of support which is surprising analysts, the Maoists are leading in around 60 of the 240 constituencies of the election.

They are not expected to win an outright majority but could be in a position to establish a coalition government.

Rebel leader Prachanda, indicating his readiness to engage in talks with other parties, said he would "establish greater national unity" after the election.

"We will create a stronger basis for sustainable peace... economic development and a federal republic by including all sections and communities of people," the Reuters news agency quoted him as saying.

The final results are not expected to be announced for at least a week but that did not stop Maoist supporters flooding into the streets of Kathamandu to celebrate their strong showing.

The constituent assembly is expected to draw up a new constitution after abolishing Nepal's 240-year-old monarchy.End of story


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