National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has shown concern over whether the disabled and the elderly people could walk to cast vote in the upcoming local level elections as the Election Commission (EC) has banned operation of vehicles without special pass on the elections day.  

"We have asked the EC regarding how they are going to make arrangement for elderly and disabled people to travel to the polling centres," said Anup Raj Sharma, chairperson of the NHRC at a press meet on Tuesday.  

The first phase of local elections is scheduled to take place in 283 local units of three provinces—3, 4 and 6 while elections under the second phase is scheduled to be held on June 14 in provinces—1, 2, 5 and 7.

Shrama said that the right body had suggested the EC to consider on allowing the operation of public transport while stopping the private ones.

The NHRC also expressed concern over whether the security forces deployed to provide security of polling centres have been given authority to shoot whoever tries to disrupt the polling process without taking approval from the higher authority.

The government has prepared the security plan of deploying 28-member team of police in each booth headed by an inspector.

"As per the media report, they have been allowed to shoot without taking order from higher authority if untoward activities take place," said Sharma, adding that this could scare away the voters.  The NHRC has planned to hold talks with Home Ministry and security agencies to know the truth about it.

Another concern of the EC has been the activities of the Netra Bikram Chand-led CPN Maoist which has reportedly blocked the candidates from going to election campaign in Kalikot. "Our monitoring teams will examine the situation there," said Sharma.

The NHRC said that is mobilizing its monitoring teams in 34 districts where first phase of local elections are scheduled take place from Wednesday to monitor potential human rights violation ahead and during the local elections.

The right body said that they would examine excesses against voters, candidates and the use of violence against any ahead and during the elections.

NHRC Chairperson Anup Raj Shrama said that 34 teams would be mobilized under regional offices while central level high level monitoring committee has also been mobilized under a member of the NHRC.

"The number of monitoring teams could be increased based on the population of certain areas," NHRC Spokesperson Mohna Ansari said. "We are also discussing on whether mobilize high-level team as well."

The NHRC will make public its report within a month since the elections in the phase.