The Home Ministry has decided to deploy around 68,000 police personnel in Province 2 in view of the third phase of local level elections taking place on September 18.

A majority of the polling stations and centres in eight districts of Province 2—Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi and Siraha—are considered the most sensitive in terms of security.

A total of 2,166 polling stations and 3578 polling centres are being installed in the eight districts. The ministry said security has been tightened in those polling stations and centres for the upcoming election. For instance, all the 327 polling stations of Dhanusha have been deemed as ‘most-sensitive’ where the presence of security forces will be significantly increased. In Saptari, 324 out of the total 462 polling stations and 138 of the 295 polling centres have been considered most-sensitive.

“Additional security forces from other provinces have been brought in to ensure a smooth and peaceful elections in Province 2,” said ministry Spokesperson Ram Krishna Subedi, without going into details.

A recent security analysis has pointed out easy access to small arms and ammunition and cross border crime as a major threat during the elections. The deployment security forces has been increased in the areas along the border.

Additional Inspector General of Police Bijayalal Kayastha, chief of Nepal Police in Province 2, said clashes among inter-party and intra-party cadres also remain a major threat. “A few anti-election activities have been reported that were immediately controlled. We are all prepared to avert any such activities and people can safely come to polling stations to cast their ballot,” said Kayastha.      

On September 6, over a dozen Nepali Congress cadres were injured in a clash that ensued among its party members over the choice of poll candidates. As the time for the candidacy filing has already been completed, police are now keeping an eye on possible clashes among different parties during the election campaigns.

The chief district officers in all the eight districts have advised the political parties to seek security prior to going out on an election campaign.

The Home Ministry security arrangement suggests the Nepal Police will hold the command inside the voting stations and booths, with the Armed Police Force (APF) being deputed as backup security and the Nepal Army manning the peripheral areas of the voting stations.

Besides, the mobile vans of Nepal Police and APF will be patrolling the polling centres and stations, with a back up security plan in each of those districts on the election day.