Kathmandu, March 23

Security agencies today assured the Election Commission of security during the local level elections slated for May 14.

In a security briefing held today at the EC Central office, Secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs Lok Darshan Regmi told EC commissioners that the ministry had prepared a comprehensive security plan under which all voters and candidates would get security. He said the ministry had taken the security concern of the commission seriously and had started preparations accordingly.

“No one should worry about security during the elections,” Secretary Regmi was quoted as saying in the briefing.

According to EC Secretary Gopinath Mainali, representatives all four security agencies — Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department — were present in the security briefing. “It was regular security briefing,” said Mainali.He said the EC commissioners as well as officials were satisfied with the security preparation of the MoHA.

The EC has also directed the MoHA to ensure security for transportation and storage of electoral materials, political parties, their leaders, candidates as well the general public.

‘We had asked the home ministry to prepare an integrated security plan. Their overall security planning is satisfactory,” said Election Commissioner Narendra Dahal.

Earlier, the election body had held discussions with all four securities agencies and sought an integrated security plan for local level polls.

The EC also demanded approval of the operational security plan prepared by the Central Security Committee headed by the home minister.

The commission has also sought of Central Unified Security Command under MoHA to command and coordinate with security agencies.