The government is planning to deploy over 150,000 security personnel for the upcoming second-phase elections to be held in 41 districts.

According to the integrated security plan of the Ministry of Home Affairs, 39,980 police personnel will be deployed in the districts. They will be assisted by 48,896 temporary police and 26,250 Armed Police Force personnel.

Up to 47,000 Nepal Army personnel will also be deployed for the polls. According to the security plan, Nepal Police will hold the command of the voting centres and booths while the Armed Police Force will act as a back-up force. The Army will be mobilised in the peripheral areas of the polling stations while the temporary police will arrange voters in manageable queues.

A recent security assessment of the first round vote by the Home Ministry shows that security agencies failed in some districts to foresee looming clashes particularly in Dolakha and Kalikot. Learning from the experience, the ministry has directed Nepal Police and the APF to increase surveillance while asking the National Investigation Department to remain more vigilant during the elections.

“The sensitivity analysis of polling stations and centres in the districts is ongoing. Yet, since some parties have not agreed to go to the polls, challenges remain,” said Bal Krishna Panthee, spokesperson for the ministry.

Districts in Province 2—Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi and Siraha—have been identified as most sensitive from the security point of view. Polling centres and stations in the districts and offices of various parties need security.

Besides, armed outfits operating in the Tarai and the porous border with India add to the security challenges.

The newly united Rastriya Janata Party Nepal has announced protests to disrupt the election. Clashes of the RJP-N and security personnel are being witnessed on the ground. On Tuesday, a person was injured when cadres of the agitating RJP-N clashed with police in Rajbiraj. The clash ensued when police tried to stop the RJP-N cadres from padlocking the office of the chief election officer. The Madhes-based party had announced to padlock the offices of the election officers across the country.

“Anti-election activities will not be tolerated,” said Spokesperson Panthee.