The Nepal Democracy Survey 2007, recently completed by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance, sought the opinions of Nepal's citizens, including its political elite, on a variety of issues relating to the three major components needed for restructuring the Nepali state – the end of monarchical rule, the transformation of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) and the need for inclusive democracy.
The information was gathered through a cross-sectional citizen survey of 20 percent of the total 205 constituencies in the country, across the three ecological zones (mountain, hill and Tarai), in all of the five development regions. In addition to the 4089 questionnaires, and additional in-depth interviews, a 'booster survey' in one hill and one Tarai district was conducted to specifically ascertain the rise in ethnicity among hill janajatis and Madhesis.
The respondents' perceptions of democracy, their trust in political institutions and leaders, their observations of the transitional arrangement and their opinions on the proposed election of the Constituent Assembly are some of the important elements that this survey gauged. Outlined here are highlights of the ten key findings of this process (all figures given are percentages).
The process of social-capital formation, which has been exhibited in several ways, ensures the sustainability and consolidation of democracy in Nepal. People have greater media exposure and greater association/involvement with formal organisations. Many are keeping themselves informed about recent political developments, and participating in political discussions and political activities. Although the political parties and the CPN (Maoist) garnered a relatively low level of trust, the public's trust in the overall state and political institutions is admirable. People's political awareness and participation is on the rise. Democracy is preferred to any other kind of government at the moment, and so this system is suitable for Nepal.