Minister for Home Affairs Janardan Sharma said on Wednesday that the government has ensured strong security on the ground for the second phase of local elections scheduled for June 28.

Security has been a major concern for the second round polls to be held in Province 1, 2, 5 and 7 in view of protests by the Rastriya Janata Party-Nepal (RJP-N), which has threatened to disrupt elections, saying its demands still remain unaddressed. 

“The government is committed to bringing all the parties on board the election process,” said Minister Sharma at a press meet in the Capital. “We are working to find a way to ensure that all the agitating parties participate in the elections,” he added, referring to the protesting RJP-N. “Every election comes with a unique challenge and we have to face it.”

The RJP-N, which announced fresh protests on Sunday, has planned indefinite general strikes from June 24, aiming to disrupt the June 28 polls. 

The government is planning to deploy over 150,000 security personnel for the second phase elections.