KATHMANDU: The Election Commission said on Tuesday that it had sought Nepali Army’s security cover for printing ballot papers.

Officials said ballot paper should be printed under high security and the commission has entrusted the job to the army.“We have written a formal letter to the army to ensure security of ballot papers,” said EC’s Spokesperson Surya Prasad Sharma. The EC has decided to print ballot papers in the press of Janak Shiksha Samagri Kendra Ltd. Sharma said the commission had been working to start the printing of ballot papers this week. The EC said ballot papers would be printed prior to registration of candidates.

Political parties, which have representation in the Parliament, will get their party’s election symbols, while new parties and independent candidates will contest polls on symbols given by the EC.