Kathmandu, August 24

President Bidhya Devi Bhandari today granted permission to mobilise Nepali Army in the third phase of local level polls slated for September 18.

The third phase of local level polls will be held in 136 local levels of eight districts of Province 2.

The permission was granted in accordance with clause (2) of article 66 of the constitution, according to a press statement issued by the Office of the President.

To mobilise security forces in an integrated and coordinated manner, as provisioned in ‘Local Level Elections Security Plan-2017’, a meeting of the National Security Council held on August 20 had recommended mobilisation of the Nepali Army in the polls.

A Cabinet meeting held on August 21 had also recommended to the president to mobilise Nepali Army during the third phase of local level polls, according to a press statement issued by Mohan Prasad Wagle, spokesperson, Office of the President Office.

The government has decided to mobilise Army in third circle to ensure free and fair elections.

The government had also mobilised all security agencies—Nepali Army, Nepal Police, Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department — in the first and second phase of elections held in Provinces 1,3,4,5,6 and 7.