Sunday 24 November 2013

Election and Inspection

Counting underway
So the election passed off fairly peacefully last Tuesday, although there was quite a bit of disruption in the build up. The counting is now well under way as you can see from this photo.

This article from the BBC gives more details on how the results are going.

In other news, KISC is all geared up for a week long inspection that beings tomorrow (Monday 25). The inspection is the key part of it's re-accreditation process, having spent much of the past year preparing, completing a thorough self-evaluation and producing loads of evidence to show off to the inspection team. Please do remember the school this week.

Finally we thought you might like to see this piece of artwork that has been produced by staff and students at the school, under the guidance of two of the Art teachers. It looks fantastic and has been set up in the hall. I'm hoping it's still there when we go back as I would love to see it up close. This is what the teacher who lead the process wrote about it: "144 individual canvases created by KISC students and staff. Each piece is beautifully unique -representing everyone's individual God given character... together they create a harmonious colourful mosaic celebrating the KISC community."

Monday 18 November 2013

Election Day

Public information poster
about the election
Nepal goes to the polls tomorrow (Tuesday 19th November). There has been quite a lot of unrest over the past few days. A National Strike has been in effect for most of the past week which has been violently enforced in places. Buses have been attacked, some while the passengers were still on them which is unusual. It is common in strikes that protesters force the passengers off and then damage the bus as punishment for breaking the strike.

We have also heard rumours today that a curfew is now in place in Kathmandu which we think is due to continue tomorrow making it rather difficult for people to vote.

People need to return to their home towns to vote which is obviously difficult when there is a strike in place for most of the past week, preventing people from moving around the country.

There have been reports of several bombs going off in Kathmandu.

So the elections are meant to go ahead tomorrow and yet many people will not be able to get to the polls or are too scared to try.

Please pray that there will be no more violence tomorrow, that people will be able to vote and that those elected will work for the best interests of Nepal.

Sunday 10 November 2013

Election Fever

In 10 days’ time Nepal is scheduled to go to the polls for the first time since 2008. As in 2008 the task is to elect a Constitutional Assembly whose job it will be to finalise a constitution for Nepal.
Ballot boxes being carried to a rural
polling station in 2008

The previous assembly was disbanded in May 2012 having taken 4 years instead of the originally planned 2. Despite the extensions they still didn't produce a constitution. So Nepal now has a second chance. Some parties are refusing to take part in the poll. One group have called a 10 day “Bandh” or general strike. This is due to start on Monday and lead up to the day of the election the aim being to stop all transport and close all business across the country. Whether this actually holds is a big question, but you can imagine the potential disruption to all if it does go ahead. Particularly to those who live day to day and need to work in order to eat.



We will be posting more information on the blog around the time of the election. But do remember Nepal in the coming 10 days or so.