Kathmandu, November 6

CPN-MC parliamentary candidate in Sindhupalchowk-1 Agni Sapkota and CPN-UML provincial FPTP candidate for Sindhupalchowk-1 (2)  Saresh Nepal said there was danger that some elements could sending their cadres to neighbouring districts on election day to influence elections.

“A large number of cadres could come from Kavrepalanchowk to Sindhupalchowk on November 26 and we have drawn the attention of the security agencies to this possibility. They said they would foil attempt to disrupt peace, but I still doubt the polls will be peaceful.”

Former chief election commissioner and Chairperson of National Election Observation Committee Surya Prasad Shrestha said political forces could send their leaders and carders from one district to other districts. “Political parties should control their cadres and security forces should take measures to prevent elements that influence polls with muscle power,” he added.

Keeping in mind the possibility of parties sending their cadres from one district to another to influence polls, the government has made plans to counter such security challenges.

There are 44 border districts where elections will be held on two different dates. The borders of 44 districts — Ilam, Panchathar, Morang, Dhankuta, Taplejung, Terhathum, Sankhuwasabha, Bhojpur, Udaypur, Khotang, Okhaldhunga, Sindhuli, Ramechhap, Kavrepalanchowk, Sindhupalchowk, Kathmandu, Nuwakot, Dhading, Makawanpur, Chitwan, Tanahun, Gorkha, Lamjung, Manang, Kaski, Parbat, Myagdi ,Baglung, Gulmi, Pyuthan, Rolpa, Dang, Salyan, Rukum, Jajarkot, Surkhet, Dailekha, Kalikot, Acham, Bajura, Doti, Bajhang, Baitadi and Dadheldhura are connected and polls will happen in these districts on two different dates.

Security forces are careful about handling security challenges, Spokesperson for Ministry of Home Affairs Narayan Prasad Sharma said. “We will analyse security on the basis of information from districts and devise a proper plan to tackle the threats” Said Sharma. Government officials discussed the scenario of parties sending their cadres from one district to another to influence polls and inccluded this in it security plans.

“We have identified this issue. We have incorporated it in our election security plan” Sharma said “We will finalise our plan on how to control the crowd at the operational level.”

MoHA has plans to mobilise a total of  250,000 security personnel, including the army, armed police force, Nepal Police and temporary police to maintain security during polls.

According to Sharma the operational level plan is under discussion.

MoHA has made a confidential ‘parliament and provincial election security plan’ for the upcoming election. According to a MoHA source, security forces will be mobilised as per the plan. A source said “The government has already okayed the plan and we have already forwarded it to the EC”.