Home ministry prepares election security plans

Kathmandu, June 9

The Ministry of Home Affairs has prepared Plan ‘A’ and Plan ‘B’ for security during the upcoming second phase of local level elections slated for June 28 in 461 local levels of 41 districts of Province 1,2,5 and 7.

MoHA’s Spokesperson Bal Krishna Panthi told The Himalayan Times that Plan ‘A ‘ was for normal situation, in which all political parties, including the agitating Madhesi parties, take part in the elections.

Plan ‘B’ was prepared for unusual situation if the agitating Madhesi parties boycott the polls and try to create obstacles to thwart the elections, according to Panthi.  “We are ready for any situation and have made preparations accordingly to hold free and fair elections,” said Panthi. He said plans prepared by the MoHA for poll security was in the implementation phase.

According to Panthi, both security plans were prepared by the Central Security Committee after receiving suggestions from National Security Council, Regional Security Committee and District Security Committee. He said the MoHA had already briefed the EC commissioners on the polls security plans.

“We would also hold meetings in the regions where the second phase of elections will be held, “ Panthi added.  He said representatives of security agencies — Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department — and chief district officer would be present in the regional security meeting.

Panthi declined to elaborate details of the security plans, saying that it could not be disclosed to the public. He said the ministry had prepared comprehensive security plans in a way that all voters and candidates get security.

He further claimed that the MoHA has taken the security concern of the commission seriously and has prepared its plans accordingly. The MoHA and the security agencies have assured the polls panel of security during second phase polls.

Earlier, the EC had directed the MoHA to ensure security in the transportation and storage of the electoral materials, provide security to political parties, their leaders, candidates as well as to the general public.“We held meetings with security agencies after the first phase of local level elections,” EC’s Secretary Gopinath Mainali told     THT. He said the EC’s commissioner and officials were satisfied with the security planning of the MoHA.

EC commissioners, including Chief Election Commissioner Ayodhee Prasad Yadav, told the security agencies that security plans should be dynamic, as the situation could be changed at any time.