Elections 2022
Security agencies have stepped up security surveillance for the parliamentary elections due in 11 days.
The voting for the House of Representatives and Province Assembly elections is scheduled on November 20 in a single phase.
Around 300,000 security personnel from three security agencies have been deployed for the twin elections. Among them, 71,693 personnel are of Nepal Police, and another 115,000 are temporary police personnel.
Similarly, 75,000 personnel of the Nepali Army (NA) and 35,000 of the Armed Police Force (APF) are being deployed to ensure the election is held freely, impartially, and peacefully.
The Ministry of Home Affairs said security personnel would be mobilised for election security on a need basis.
Ministry spokesperson Phadindramani Pokharel shared that election security was tightened after evaluating the challenges in the polling stations.
An integrated security plan has been implemented, according to which security agencies will provide security in three different layers. In the first ring, Nepal Police will provide protection, while Armed Police Force and Nepali Army in the second and third, respectively.
Nepal Police's Spokesperson and Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Tek Prasad Rai shared that the election security plan is good and reliable. "Voters can cast their vote without any fear," he said.
According to him, some 28 small groups have announced to boycott of the election. The security agencies are closely monitoring them, according to Spokesperson Rai.
Nepal Police has mobilised its personnel in those areas which were not considered from the election point of view in the past. Police, learning from experience, have also devised security plans for contingencies, added Rai.
Police conclude that it has become easier now that the Election Commission of Nepal has been actively following the compliance of the election code of conduct itself.
The Armed Police Force (APF) deployed in the second cordon in election security has already mobilised the required personnel. At the same time, some are in a stand-by position to deploy on a need basis.
APF will mainly provide security to the election offices, election officers, and chief election officers. Spokesperson of the APF and Senior Superintendent of Police Purushottam Thapa said that election security bases were set up in various locations and security personnel mobilised in plain uniform.
Furthermore, mobile patrolling is also being carried out by the APF security personnel, while surveillance has been stepped up in bordering areas.
The Nepali Army has already started monitoring all districts as per the mandate given to it by the integrated security plan, said NA spokesperson Brigadier General Narayan Silwal.
Besides, prisons, airports, and other vital infrastructure, earlier guarded by APF and Nepal Police during the election, are being protected by the Nepali Army this time.
Moreover, NA has been entrusted with the responsibility of guarding the printing of ballot papers and their transportation. Spokesperson Silwal shared that the Army had already prepared for aerial surveillance, disposing of the bomb or neutralizing suspicious objects and explosives during the election.
Also, he said that the Army has set up separate bases/units in those places uncovered by the already set base/units. - RSS
