In the silence period, the government’s security strategy has shifted towards the safety of polling stations, officials, voters and election logistics.

Two days before the polls, security has been tightened around the polling booths and stations across the 45 districts where the second phase of elections takes place on Thursday.

Since there are no campaigns of the parties and their candidates in the silence period, security agencies are wholly focused on election-day security. Forces are conducting regular patrols with the purpose of controlling anti-poll activities.

Personnel from the intelligence wings and police in plain clothes have also been deployed in various areas in and around polling booths, police said. They will identity people suspected of involvement in anti-poll activities.

“If the people face any pressure or trouble, they can report to the police deployed near them,” said Nepal Police Spokesperson Manoj Neupane. In cases of emergency, a reserve force will reach within 10-20 minutes, officials said. In the remote areas, security reinforcements will reach by helicopters.

Security officials said groups opposed to the elections could try to terrorise voters, assuring that there are adequate security arrangements for people to reach the polling stations. Amid growing incidents of IED explosion, security forces across the country have been instructed to mobilise well to ward off any violent activities. Security forces have already taken control of the polling stations and increased their vigilance, said Home Ministry Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi, adding that poll materials have already reached all the districts.

The Home Ministry, in a statement on Tuesday, appealed to the people to vote freely and without fear. The borders of 23 districts adjacent to India have been sealed for Thursday’s polls. In some areas, there is joint patrol of the Nepali and Indian security forces.