KATHMANDU, JANUARY 8
The Nepali Army (NA) has intensified preparations to mobilize 80,000 personnel ahead of the House of Representatives (HoR) elections scheduled for March 5.
NA Brigadier General and Spokesperson Rajaram Basnet stated that the army will be deployed in accordance with the Integrated Security Plan 2082, which has already been approved by the President.
"In line with the directive of the Integrated Security Plan, army personnel will be deployed in the field a month prior to the elections," he said.
The government has endorsed the Integrated Security Plan, and the National Security Council has approved the deployment of the army for election-related security.
The army's operations will be conducted in three phases during the electoral process. The NA will bear primary responsibility for securing ballot paper printing before the elections and protecting vital infrastructures during the polling period.
In coordination with the Nepal Police and the Armed Police Force, the NA will also provide security for critical facilities such as airports and prisons.
During the elections, the NA will conduct integrated training and drills in collaboration with the four security agencies and district administration offices to ensure operational readiness.
The army will safeguard political parties, candidates, voters, and election personnel while maintaining a third-circle security presence at polling booths and centers. As in previous elections, the NA has prepared to establish security bases at strategic locations across the country.
Following the conclusion of voting on March 5, the army will oversee the secure transportation of ballot boxes and the safety of vote counting stations.
Provincial-level security seminars are currently being conducted to ensure that the elections are held peacefully on the scheduled date. The government will assess the situation and implement additional security arrangements based on recommendations received during these seminars.
The NA has affirmed its readiness to provide election security as a primary duty of the state, in coordination with all security forces, local administrations, and public representatives.
(With inputs from Rastriya Samchar Samiti)