National
Government to enforce integrated security strategy for polls
Nepal Police, APF, Nepali Army and the investigation department are jointly mobilised in polls as per the strategy.
Post Report
The government is set to introduce an integrated security strategy in view of upcoming elections slated for March 5.
In line with the discussion and consultation between President Ramchandra Paudel, Prime Minister Sushila Karki, ministers and heads of security agencies on Saturday, Home Minister Om Prakash Aryal is set to discuss with top officials to finalise the blueprint of the strategy.
During every election, the home ministry comes up with an integrated security plan or strategy in order to conduct free, fair and secure elections.
On Saturday, President Paudel convened the meeting that focused on creating a conducive political environment for the elections and strengthening the overall security situation. Paudel at the meeting directed the government and security chiefs to instill confidence among political parties and the public that the upcoming parliamentary elections will be held in a fair and fear-free environment.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Aryal has called a meeting of the Central Security Committee for Sunday, according to a statement issued by the prime minister’s private secretariat.
The committee, headed by the home minister, includes the home and defense secretaries, along with the chiefs and representatives of all four security agencies.
In most of the cases, Nepal Police and Armed Police Force and National Investigation Department and temporary police hired for election provide security in three different layers in each polling booth. The Nepali Army personnel are deployed on the outer circle and provide support to police and intelligence officers.
“The meeting will review the progress of the integrated security plan being developed by the Central Integrated Election Security Committee and will provide necessary support and policy-level direction,” said the statement.
The Central Integrated Election Security Committee was formed under the leadership of Anand Kafle, a joint secretary and head of the Peace, Security, and Crime Control Division at the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The committee includes representatives from all four security agencies as members, and Under Secretary Rabindra Adhikari serves as the member-secretary.
The security plan developed by the Kafle-led panel will be implemented in every district. A district-level Integrated Election Security Committee, led by the Chief District Officer, will implement the plan.
“We are fully committed to preparing for the elections with our full capacity. The integrated election security plan is progressing rapidly in an advanced stage,” the prime minister’s secretariat quoted Home Minister Aryal as saying. “We are continuously in discussion and coordination with the Election Commission. Efforts are being made to ensure that the security agencies face no shortage of resources or support.”