The Ministry of Home Affairs has said that “effective and reliable security arrangements” are in place for the first phase of federal parliamentary and provincial assembly elections taking place on Sunday. The Election Commission has also assured the people of sufficient security arrangements for free and fair polls.

Organising a press conference on the eve of the first-phase vote, the ministry said security forces were all prepared to conduct the polls in an environment free of fear.

“Adequate security measures are in place for voters, candidates, officials and other stakeholders,” said Home Secretary Mohan Krishna Sapkota. After focus on pre-election security, the ministry was paying attention to the election day security.

Sapkota said there is effective coordination between the security forces. “People can exercise their voting right without any hesitation and fear,” he added. In a separate press meet, Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav assured of a fully secure environment for voters, candidates and the officials deployed on poll duties.

Ministry officials said there is also sufficient back-up force for each polling station, ready for deployment within 10-30 minutes. Despite assurances from security forces, some violent incidents were reported on Saturday as well. Officials said security personnel would escort voters from their home to the polling centres.

In the first phase, election is taking place in 32 Hill and Mountain districts. Among them, some districts are highly sensitive due to the geography and rivalry between the candidates. In such areas, private and public vehicles have been banned. Public holiday has been announced in the concerned districts.

Districts including Okhaldhunga, Solukhumbhu, Nuwakot, Rasuwa, Dhading, Sindhupalchok, Dolakha, Ramechhap, Mustang, Gorkha, Rukum, Rolpa, Bajura and Baitadi are listed as “sensitive”.

Defence Minister Bhimsen Das Pradhan said there is an efficient security arrangement for Sunday’s polls. The Army is conducting aerial patrol. The NA has mobilised 64,000 personnel for the elections. In the first phase, 28,000 soldiers will be on the ground. The government is said to have prepared a list of 2,000 individuals, suspecting their involvement in anti-election activities. “Of them, 500 are in police custody,” said Pradhan.

Up to 68,000 members of the Nepal Police, 52,000 personnel of the Armed Police Force and 98,000 temporary police recruits are deployed for poll security, according to the Home Ministry.