Many Nepali migrant workers, who had come from India to celebrate the Dashain and Tihar festivals, have postponed their return to become temporary police personnel or Myadi Prahari for the upcoming elections.

The Myadi job opening has mostly attracted those people who work as daily wage workers in Indian cities. They were attracted by the pay the government is offering. 

Parbalal Bishwokarma of Khadachakra Rural Municipality-2, Kalikot, said he decided to stay longer this time because there was an opportunity for him to earn around Rs 50,000 in just 55 days, which is a lot compared to what he makes in India.

“I have already passed the first test and I am confident that I will be selected,” he said.

Earlier, Parbalal used to leave for India after celebrating the festivals. He would remain there for about six months, working odd jobs to support his family back home, before returning for the winter crop harvest season. 

Parbalal said he had already left by this time last year.

“Once you get back to India, if you do not have a fixed job, you have to search for one. So I decided to extend my stay this time because I could earn a lot more by becoming a Myadi,” he said.

Dhan Singh Bishwokarma, ward chairman of Khadachakra Rural Municipality-2, said many men from Kalikot, Jumla, Mugu and Bajura districts go to Indian cities to work because of limited opportunities in the country.

“They only return for the harvest season and the festivals. This time, however, they have decided to stay a while longer to join Myadi. There are some who have extended their stay to vote, but most of them are here to become Myadi personnel,” he said.

Besides migrant workers, many unemployed youths in the region, including young women, are also applying for the job. Police Inspector Niroj Chaulagain at the Kalikot District Police Office in Manma said young men, women, mothers have signed up to become Myadi personnel.

“We certainly have a considerable number of migrant workers applying for the job. This is also apparent because the vehicles leaving the district these days are not crowded with departing migrant workers as they used to be during this time,” he said.

The government is recruiting 98,168 temporary police personnel for the federal and provincial elections scheduled to take place on November 26 and December 7.

Applicant dies during race

A man trying out for temporary police (Myadi) job for the upcoming polls died after collapsing during a physical fitness test in Hetauda Sub-metropolis, Makwanpur, on Monday. Police said 24-year-old Prem Prasad Ghimire, a resident of Bakaiya Rural Municipality-4, had collapsed during a 1km race. He died on the way to hospital. Doctors suspected that Ghimire might have an underlying heart problem that caused his death. Ghimire was participating in the 1km sprint that Myadi aspirants were to complete within 5 minutes to get selected.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Dilip Jha said the nature of the test itself was not to be blamed for Ghimire’s death because even 55-year-old people completed the race inside 5 minutes.

The  Makwanpur District Election Office has called for 1,328 Myadi vacancies, including 324 women. The office has received 3,345 applications.

EC seeks special security plan

The Election Commission has sought special arrangements for securing the ballot boxes of the first phase of elections as the vote count will begin only after the second phase of vote on December 7. The first phase of elections is scheduled for November 26.

“The Home Ministry finalises the security plan in consultation with the Election Commission. We have suggested arranging sufficient security for the ballot boxes of the first-phase polls at the election offices of the respective constituencies,” said EC Spokesperson Navaraj Dhakal.

The EC has also asked for speedy maintenance of telecommunication equipment such as telephone, fax and wireless devices used by the Nepali Police, Armed Police Force and the National Investigation Department.

The election body has sought expansion of telecom services in rural areas for effective communication during the polls. Following the EC instruction, the Home Ministry is in consultation with the Nepal Telecom and Ncell on service extension and enhancement.

The EC has suggested collecting weapons issued to the general public in view of election security. There will be complete prohibition on the production, distribution and consumption of alcohol during the polls.