As Nepal approaches the critical March 5 polls, the shadow of September’s Gen Z protests hangs heavy over the national security apparatus. The international community is closely watching how the state manages these elections. Amid reports of personnel leaving the force and concerns regarding looted weaponry and absconding prisoners, spokesperson of Nepal Police, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Abi Narayan Kafle, sat down with The Post’s Biken K. Dawadi to detail the security challenges to the elections, police’s operational capacity and current morale, and tactical strategies to address concerns surrounding booth safety, possible clashes between supporters of different political parties and the changing dynamics of the impact of social media on the polls. Excerpts.

We are around a month away from the elections. Given the recent political volatility, what is the core strategy of the police to ensure these polls remain free and fair?

Our strategy is built upon the Integrated Election Security Plan 2025, which is already under implementation. The primary focus is effective mobilisation and management of police personnel through a multi-tiered command structure. We have established election cells from the federal level down to the provincial and district levels, each with a designated focal person to ensure seamless communication. To maintain order, we are conducting targeted patrolling, picketing and rigorous checking in areas identified as sensitive. Additionally, we are closely monitoring the border regions to prevent any infiltration or criminal activities that could disrupt the elections.

How does the police coordinate with the Election Commission on preparations?

We maintain close coordination and cooperation with the commission throughout the pre-election, election and post-election phases. The coordination covers the sensitivity of polling stations, the management of candidate details, and the security of both candidates and observers. Our operational synergy is managed through the Central Joint Election Cell and the Central Cyber Cell.

The scale of this election is bigger than the 2022 general elections, with 18,903,689 registered voters this time. How does the increase in polling infrastructure change tactical deployment?

The logistics are indeed more demanding this time. We are managing 18,903,689 voters, comprising 9,663,358 males, 9,240,131 females, and 200 others. To accommodate them, we have designated 10,967 polling stations, which is an increase of 75 compared to the 2022 general elections. Further, the number of polling centres has risen to 23,112, an increase of 885. Our deployment strategy must account for the sensitivity of these locations: We have identified 3,680 highly sensitive, 4,442 sensitive, and 2,845 normal polling stations. Our manpower allocation is strictly proportional to these risk assessments to ensure that even the most remote booth remains secure.

Speaking of manpower, you are mobilising a massive force. Can you break down the numbers?

We are mobilising 75,497 Nepal Police personnel across various roles, including mobile patrolling, reserve forces, monitoring and command centre operations. This is supplemented by the recruitment of 133,980 temporary police (Myadi), bringing our total situational force to over 200,000 personnel. These individuals are being integrated into the security grid under the Integrated Procedure for Election Police Recruitment, Appointment, and Deployment, 2025.

There have been concerns over the training of these 133,980 temporary police. How does this recruitment drive differ from previous years?

While the basic recruitment process remains the same, we have introduced much more stringent criteria for character and conduct. We are conducting thorough background checks to ensure no applicant has a record of criminal activity or unethical behaviour. Further, the training curriculum has been revamped. Every temporary recruits are undergoing a specialised Election Police Orientation Course that focuses on human rights, neutral conduct and crisis management to ensure they are prepared for the specific challenges.

One of those challenges is the aftermath of the Gen Z movement. Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal recently stated that all weapons looted during the protests would be recovered before the polls. What is the current status of the operation?

We have made significant progress on that front. A special task force was mobilised specifically to recover weapons reported missing or looted during the Gen Z protests. Most of the looted weapons and absconding criminals are already in custody. In recent days, we have conducted high-intensity raids in suspected areas based on precise intelligence. We have circulated detailed descriptions and addresses of escaped prisoners to every police post and local municipality. By focusing our entire security apparatus on this single goal, we are ensuring that these elements do not pose a threat to voters on election day.

Critics point out that despite these special operations, the morale of the force remains a concern. With over 1,000 personnel reportedly leaving the force post-protests, how can you ensure the police remain a cohesive unit?

I must clarify that police morale remains high. The narrative of a weakened force is not reflected in our operational reality. We have seen incredible community support. In many areas, local residents have worked alongside us to rebuild police infrastructure that was damaged during the unrest. To support our personnel, we have prioritised welfare schemes, including compensation for families of those who lost their lives in the line of duty and full medical coverage for the injured. We are also creating employment opportunities for the families of fallen officers. The public’s trust is our greatest asset, and it has only strengthened our resolve.

Data shows a massive gap in your transport capabilities—for instance, you need 2,176 small vehicles but currently have only 694. How will you bridge this deficit?

This is a reality we are managing through a multi-agency approach. Our current inventory includes 694 small vehicles, 42 large vehicles, and 2,628 motorcycles. However, to meet the requirements of the March 5 polls, we need an additional 1,482 small vehicles, 132 large vehicles, and 417 motorcycles. We are coordinating with the government and the EC to request private and public sector vehicles as per established protocols. Our Joint Command Post, which includes the Nepali Army and the Armed Police Force (APF), also allows for shared logistical resources to ensure no polling station is left without mobile support.

In previous weeks, we have seen clashes in places like Jhapa. What specific strategies are in place to diffuse such incidents without the use of excessive force?

Our approach has shifted to pre-emptive dialogue. In areas with high political tension, we have established three-way coordination between the local administration, the election officer’s office, and security agencies. We are gathering advanced intelligence on political rallies to prevent opposing groups from crossing paths. If a clash does occur, our instructions are for active intervention to control the situation rather than just dispersing a crowd. We are moving away from older methods and focusing on modern crowd management strategies that adhere to standards of legitimacy, necessity and proportionality.

Moving to the digital battlefield, misinformation and fake posts on social media are emerging as major threats. How is the police monitoring this?

This is a top priority for the security apparatus. We have formed cyber cells down to the district level specifically for the election period. We are using specialised software, eMonitor+, to identify and track misinformation, disinformation and hate speech. We are working directly with the Central Joint Cyber Cell at the EC to identify candidates or activists who use fake likes or manipulated videos to mislead the public. The Cyber Bureau has been empowered to take immediate action against any activity that violates the Election Code of Conduct or the Electronic Transactions Act.

On the subject of the Code of Conduct, several photos recently went viral showing police officers posing with election candidates. What is being done to maintain institutional neutrality?

We have very clear guidelines on this. The Police Regulation 2071 BS, the Media Policy 2060 BS, and the 2077 Code of Conduct for police personnel strictly prohibit any unprofessional behaviour, including liking, sharing, or posting photos with political candidates on social media. We have issued a circular to all subordinate offices stating that such actions will result in departmental disciplinary proceedings. We are monitoring the digital footprints of our staff to ensure the force remains completely neutral and professional throughout the process.

There are also concerns about political figures like Resham Chaudhary saying they will not let the election take place. Is the police prepared for targeted political sabotage of the snap polls?

We are aware of the rhetoric being used by various elements to shape their narratives. However, the state’s security apparatus is unified. We are conducting joint operational exercises with the Nepali Army and the APF to handle any high-threat scenarios. Information sharing between these agencies is now instantaneous. We will not allow any individual or group to undercut the constitution or compromise the democratic right of 18.9 million citizens to cast their ballots.