Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, January 30:

Although the government is yet to announce any date for elections, it has informally instructed security wings to do the homework on security arrangements for the general elections. The Election Commission (EC) has asked for at least six months time for preparation while security bodies have said they are ready to provide security if the polls are held phase-wise. “Preliminary homework is underway not only because the government has given fresh instructions, but because armed forces should always be ready for action,” said a Royal Nepalese Army (RNA) official. According to him, RNA has even suspended the Staff College Course classes because officers taking the course are needed at their bases.

He said, “The officers taking the course are commanders and they are needed if security is to be provided properly for elections.”

Homework for security during polls has begun following Prime Minister Sher Bahadur Deuba’s consultations with the chiefs of all three security wings — RNA, Armed Police Force (APF) and Nepal Police recently