The Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) has started meetings with officials on the ground to make security arrangements for the upcoming federal and provincial elections scheduled for November 26 and December 7.

The first of these meetings will take place in Janakpur of Province 2 on Wednesday in the presence of Prime Minister and Home Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba, the

ministry said. The second round of security meeting is scheduled in Pokhara on November 10.

According to Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi, spokesperson for the ministry, they will discuss security challenges in the lead-up to the upcoming elections and brief the officials about the plans devised by the ministry.

Interestingly, the meeting has a special meaning as it is set to begin from Province 2—considered as the most sensitive districts during the previous elections.

The security status in the districts in Province 2, including Bara, Dhanusha, Mahottari, Parsa, Rautahat, Saptari, Sarlahi and Siraha, has been categorised as “sensitive”, primarily because of the possible movements of underground outfits along the border with India and easy availability of arms and ammunitions.

Cadres of the Netra Bikram Chand-led Communist Party of Nepal and supporters of “Free Madhes” campaigner CK Raut, are reported to have been involved in anti-election activities of late.

The security meeting will be attended by secretary at the Home Ministry along with chiefs of Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department and Chief District Officers of the region.

A district security committee has been formed in each district under CDO, which to look over the security situation. Security personnel would be deployed appropriately in the districts based on their assessments.