16/04/2008 (Agence Europe) - Following the elections on 10 April, European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner has congratulated the commitment of the Nepalese people to the democratic process. In a press release published on Saturday 12 April, she said she hoped that the election of a new constituent assembly, charged with drawing up a new constitution, would be the first step on the way restoring representative and vibrant democracy in the country. On the same day, Jan Mulder (ALDE, Netherlands), Chief Observer of the European Union Election Observation Mission, welcomed the high turn out, despite a tense election campaign marred by intimidation and violence. Generally voting took place peacefully, although voting in some polling stations was cancelled. Early results suggest that the former Maoist rebels are leading. (A.B.)