Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal has instructed the Armed Police Force to be prepared for the elections.

“I ask the APF to be prepared for the election of local bodies, provinces and federal parliament,” the PM told graduates of the basic inspector training at the APF Training College in Pokhara on Thursday. He stressed an effective role of the APF in law enforcement.

The PM also hailed the APF’s role in maintaining security and disaster management. Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister Bimalendra Nidhi also addressed the graduation ceremony.

In Parbat later, the PM said the government would hold the local elections by mid-May. He added that the government would announce the election date soon after Parliament endorses all the polls-related bills, possibly by Saturday.