KATHMANDU, MAY 9
The international border with neighbours China and India will be closed for 72 hours starting tomorrow night, as per the election protocol for the upcoming May 13 local level elections.
Phanindra Mani Pokharel, spokesperson for the Ministry of Home Affairs, said that the district administration offices in the border districts have been directed in line with security measures to close the border from tomorrow onwards until the midnight of the local election.
Altogether 42 districts share a border with India and China.
The government's direction to close the border is followed as per election protocol and as called by the Election Commission a few days earlier.
Nepal shares a border of more than 1,800 km with India and more than 1,400 km with China. The home ministry informed that a large number of security personnel have to be deployed along the open border area between Nepal and India.
While, security has also been tightened around major entry points at the Nepal-China border most of which is divided by the high Himalayas.
Meanwhile, the ministry has also issued strict direction to security forces to implement the silent hour, a mandatory period of time where election candidates are not allowed to take out rally and run other publicity campaigns.
Security forces will be deployed at key border points with India that needs special security measures such as Pashupatinagar of Ilam, Kankadbhitta of Jhapa, Rani of Morang, Jatahi of Dhanusha, Birgunj of Parsa, Belahiya of Rupandehi, Krishnanagar of Kapilvastu, Jamunah of Banke, Mohana of Kailali and Gauriphanta, Gaddachauki of Kanchanpur.
Apart from these popular border check posts, security forces will face challenge stopping movement from other open border areas where there are no check posts, according to Pokharel.
"But, we have asked security agencies to leave no stone unturned in maintaining peace and security and following other election procedures," Pokharel said.
Similarly, security forces have to also manage vehicular movement during the silent period as vehicles with valid pass issued by EC are allowed to travel. However, vehicles ferrying most essential goods and vehicles of public ceremony like marriage will be allowed to ply roads on Wednesday and Thursday. On election day, vehicles for emergency purposes and vehicles with valid pass will be allowed to ply the roads.
A version of this article appears in the print on May 10, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
