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Over 200,000 security forces for today’s polls
Over 200,000 security personnel will be on the ground for the second phase of federal parliament and provincial assembly elections on Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) said on Wednesday.Manish Gautam
Over 200,000 security personnel will be on the ground for the second phase of federal parliament and provincial assembly elections on Thursday, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) said on Wednesday.
During a meeting with the Election Commission, MoHA assured of a safe voting environment.
MoHA assertion that adequate security measures will be in place comes amid concerns over a series of incidents of blast in various parts of the country, including the Capital.
According to MoHA, around 65,000 Nepal Police, 30,000 Armed Police Force, 98,000 temporary cops and 34,000 Nepal Army personnel will be providing security for the second phase of polls. Besides, officials from the National Investigation Department will also be on the ground.
The integrated security arrangement of the government shows that Nepal Police will hold the command inside the polling stations and centres while the APF will be deputed as backup security. Similarly, the Nepal Army will be present on the periphery to ensure extra security.
Apart from this, mobile vans of Nepal Police and the APF will constantly patrol polling centres and stations.
A back-up of security personnel too has been maintained in all 45 districts where voting will take place on Thursday.
Temporary cops will help in arranging lines and voters.
The Nepal Army will take charge of security during patrols and while transporting ballot boxes to the district headquarters.
“We would like to assure all that strong security measures are in place. People can go to polling booths and return home after exercising their franchise without any fear,” said MoHA Spokesperson Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi.
According to Duwadi, the Nepal Army will conduct air patrol as well.
Chief district officers will be leading the security committees in their respective districts.
Based on their assessments, deployment of forces can increase and decrease in the districts.
Province 2 and Province 5 will see the highest security deployment. The status so far shows that around 60,000 security personnel will be deployed in Province 2 while Province 5 will see the presence of 40,000 security forces.
‘CPN is responsible for bombings’
KATHMANDU: Nepal Police said on Wednesday that the Communist Party of Nepal (CPN) led by Netra Bikram Chand is responsible for the series of bombings across the country. At a press meet at the Nepal Police Headquarters, Deputy Inspector General of Police Manoj Neupane said the CPN had been carried out improvised explosive device explosions. According to DIG Neupane, 978 people have been arrested for their involvement in anti-election activities.
By the numbers
Nepal Police: 65,000
Armed Police Force: 30,000
Nepal Army: 34,000
Temporary Police: 98,000
NID: 1,000