The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed security agencies to put in place special measures in the districts where top leaders of various parties are contesting the upcoming elections.

The directive follows consultation with the Election Commission that expressed concerns over the security of top leaders in the fray.

Although many of them are already guarded as former prime ministers or home ministers or VIPs, the ministry instructed the security bodies to make adjustments in security deployment by reassessing the threat on these candidates.

Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi, spokesperson for the Home Ministry, said their assessment showed that the leaders face no imminent threat. On Wednesday, the EC had asked the ministry to arrange special security for top leaders while they actively campaign for the polls.

Nepali Congress President and Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba has filed his candidacy from Dadeldhura. CPN-UML Chairman KP Sharma Oli is a candidate in Jhapa-5. CPN (Maoist Centre) Chair Pushpa Kamal Dahal is in the fray in Chitwan-3 as a common candidate of the left alliance.

Senior Superintendent of Police Pitamber Adhikari, chief of the Federal Police Unit Office in Province-1, said they are deploying additional forces based on the mobility of the top politicians.

From the UML, former prime minister Jhala Nath Khanal is contesting in Ilam-1 while former speaker of the House Subas Nembang has stood in Ilam-2.

Bipin Karmacharya, chief of Ilam district police, said at least two additional PSOs have been deployed for their security. In cases of perceived security threat, the district security committee chaired by the Chief District Officer can decide on the necessary measures.