Warning that threats to the peace process in Nepal 'must not be underestimated,' United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon has proposed a new political mission of the world body there to oversee among other things the Maoist cantonments and army barracks.

The mission will also review all technical aspects of the electoral process for an assembly to decide on the constitutional future of the country.

"While Nepal has made remarkable progress towards peace, the magnitude of the tasks ahead and the potential threats to the peace process must not be underestimated," Moon said in a report to the Security Council.

The proposed UN Mission in Nepal has been requested by both the Nepalese government and the Maoists. Ban has recommended that UNMIN be established for a year and deploy up to 186 unarmed active and former military officers to monitor Maoist cantonments and army barracks as required by the ceasefire signed in November.

"The timely, free and fair conduct of the Constituent Assembly election is central to the sustainability of the peace process," Ban wrote.

The mission will establish a small UN police advisory team comprising senior police advisers at national and regional levels to help ensure 'critical' security during voter registration, campaigning and polling, according to the report.

To reinforce the monitoring of the management of arms and armies, electoral assistance and human rights compliance, UNMIN will have a civil affairs component including officers deployed to the regions. Ban noted that both sides committed serious violations of international humanitarian law, with many civilians targeted or caught up in indiscriminate violence.