Nepal interim govt. head appeals against poll boycott

KATHMANDU, June 14, 2013 (AFP) - Nepal's interim government on Friday urged political parties not to boycott long-awaited elections set for November that have raised hopes of stability in the deeply divided Himalayan nation.

Nepal's chief justice, who heads the caretaker government, called on parties to meet officials and resolve any concerns about the No- vember 19 polls, amid fears of a boycott.

“Our main task is to hold elections in a free and fearless manner,” chief justice Khilraj Regmi said in a nationally televised speech.

“Therefore especially I urge the political parties to discuss their issues with us and help us create an election friendly environment,” Regmi said.

The interim government set a date for the polls late on Thursday following months of political deadlock that has hampered the country's recovery after a decade-long civil war.

Although the announcement raised hopes for stability in the impoverished nation, analysts voiced concerns that elections, which were last held in 2008, could still be scuppered.

Political commentator Tilak Pathak said it was unclear whether all of the major parties would agree to take part, since they were focused on fixing internal party problems.

“All major parties are battling with internal factionalism and dissents,” Pathak told AFP.