Rukum, May 13

A team from the National Human Rights Commission Regional Office, Nepalgunj, has reached  Rukum to observe the civic polls to be held tomorrow.

Locals along with political parties and other stakeholders were seen happy to have the team in the district. The team observed ongoing preparation for tomorrow elections in different places of Rukum.

The team led by Officer Tanka Khanal of the NHRC Regional Office, Nepalgunj monitored the five most sensitive voting centres of Sanobheri Rural Municipality and Mushikot Municipality.

Khanal said that the team had observed the enforcement of the silence period under the election code of conduct, the management of polling booths for the differently-abled, and the elderly, and overall peace and security management.

“The team will be in the district during the election period,” he informed.

Sanobheri Rural Municipality is reportedly the most sensitive area from security perspective as police had opened fire in a clash that erupted between cadres of the NC and the CPN Maoist Centre in May 9.

Massive number of security personnel has been deployed to avoid possible incidents following the same.

NC youth leader Nanda Bahadur Bista said voters were happy to see the team inspect Sanobheri Rural Municipality-based polling booths. “The observers will play a key role to hold the polls in a fearless environment,” he said.

DSP Angur GC at the District Police Office has claimed that voters will not feel insecure in the elections.

He added that security personnel were deployed in all polling booths of the district to establish peace and security in the civic polls.

The first phase of the elections is taking place in six local levels tomorrow, while three local level polls will be taking place in the second phase in the same district.