The government has deployed more than 341,000 security personnel for the upcoming House of Representatives election scheduled for Falgun 21. The deployment decision was made by the Election Security and Risk Management Committee to ensure that voting takes place in a free, fair, impartial, and fear-free environment.
A total of 341,111 security personnel have been mobilized, including temporary police officers. The breakdown includes 79,727 personnel from the Nepal Army, 34,576 from the Armed Police Force, 75,797 from Nepal Police, 1,921 from the National Investigation Department, and 149,090 temporary (election) police officers.
Election Commissioner Sagun Shumsher Jabara, who also serves as the coordinator of the Election Security and Risk Management Committee, stated that there is currently no cause for concern regarding the country’s law and order situation. He said the Election Commission has been regularly receiving updates from the heads of security agencies across the country and that no security challenges have been reported so far.
However, he clarified that the Commission decided to deploy the Nepal Army earlier than in previous elections in order to help create a conducive election environment and assure voters of their safety. Although the Army was mobilized in past elections, political parties had suggested that placing them in the third security layer was not effective. Therefore, the current deployment model allows the Army to be positioned in the first layer if necessary to ensure peace and security.
Jabara said, “The Election Commission conducts the election. The government and the Commission coordinate in mobilizing security forces. From the beginning, we have been in discussion and coordination with all security chiefs. According to their briefings at the Election Security Committee meeting, no major problems have been observed. Some groups have announced election boycotts, but that will not have an impact. However, the weather could pose some challenges.”
The first meeting of the Election Security Committee had decided to recommend to the government the use of the Nepal Army for the election. The House of Representatives election will be held on Falgun 21.
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